Clarksville, Ark. - Sophomore Justin Crider hit a home run, while senior Grady Finley had four hits as the University of the Ozarks Eagles (9-12, 3-8 ASC) fell 4-3 and 4-2 in today's double-header against the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets (8-7, 4-4 ASC) at Lonnie Qualls Field.

During game one, Ozarks plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the third, but the Yellow Jackets capitalized on a single from Seth Dohrman and a sacrifice fly from Cliff Lunceford to allow Howard Payne to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth.

To tie up the game 2-2, Ozarks short shop Fielder Dufrene used a sacrifice fly to bring home Michael Fitzpatrick.

After a scoreless fifth inning, Eagles right fielder Andrew Beck singled to third base, followed by a ground out from Patrick Clifford, which advanced Beck to second base. Zach Jones doubled down the right field line to bring home Beck. The Eagles would lead 3-2 after six innings.

The Yellow Jackets would open up the seventh with two runs taking a 4-3 lead. Ozarks had the tying run at third base in the seventh but couldn't bring it home.

Jacob Barker (1-2) took the loss for Ozarks after pitching one inning and giving up two runs and two hits.

In the nightcap, the Yellow Jackets put themselves on the board in the first inning scoring on an RBI single from Dohrman only to tack on two more in the second inning for a steady 3-0 lead.

Crider led off the bottom of the second with a home run over right field to put the Eagles on the board. After two scoreless innings, Howard Payne added another run in the fifth.

Finley scored in the bottom of the sixth off a throwing error from the second baseman to narrow the Yellow Jackets lead, but the Eagles would get no closer, falling 4-2.

Luke Dyer suffered the loss after pitching six innings.

The Eagles will finish the series against Howard Payne on Friday, March 25 at noon.

By Kaitlyn Williams