Strong comeback by Warriors secures road win against Indians 8-7 in rivalry baseball
POYEN — The visiting Ouachita Warriors overcame adversity from a 7-1 deficit and charged back with a productive sixth and seventh inning rally of seven runs combined to edge off rivals’ Poyen Indians 8-7 in a showdown rivalry contest of non-conference baseball competition at the Poyen Sports Complex Friday.
The Warriors sparked for eight runs on nine hits while the Indians tallied seven runs on 11 hits to collect double-digits in the frame.
Leading Ouachita’s offense was Kaden Fulmer, Riley Adams, Trey Cox and Jayden Alston each powering two hits apiece at the plate. Colton Braswell collected a hit and drove in two runs for two RBIS. Hunter Rook and Braswell both also drove in two runs for two RBIS, Cox, Alston, Caden Lee and Brady Huneycutt all had an RBI. Fulmer, Adams and Rook each sparked for two runs apiece while Kelton Fowler and Braswell each scored a run.
The Indians sparked early with a 3-0 lead in the first inning, then scored in the third and tallied three runs in the fifth innings. Lead Poyen’s offensive execution was Nate Simmons collecting three hits and drove in one run for an RBI. Kinnin Dobbs and Carter Webb both had two hits to connect at the plate while Grayson Graves, Colton Lowe, Anthony Nannemann, and Hayden Byrd each sparked with a hit piece.
On the mound, Kelton Fowler earned the victory and pitched three innings, allowed four hits, two earned runs and struck out five batters and threw 35 strikes. Rook pitched four innings, allowed seven hits, one earned run and struck out three batters while throwing 35 strikes across the plate.
For the Indians, Pablo Conde provided the head on the mound and pitched six innings, allowing six earned runs, nine hits and struck out two batters and threw 57 strikes— teammate Webb pitched one inning, allowed one hit, no runs struck out one batter and threw 11 strikes to ignite the strike zone.
The rivalry battle was a competitive showcase between both ball teams that displayed an intense match-up of emotions and intensity of a Tribe-warrior duel.
Ouachita Warrior baseball head coach felt the match-up was intense and gave a lot of credit to Poyen head coach Parker Nash and the Indian squad for raising the level of competition against Ouachita in a competitive non-conference contest.
Nail emphasized that the Indians’ pitcher [Pablo] Conde deserves a lot of credit for how he pitched. “He kept us off balance most of the game,” Nail said. “We weren’t as focused as we needed to be in the early and middle parts of the game, and Coach Nash’s boys capitalized on it.” Nail continued to say, “To their credit, our boys came through when we needed to and found a way to grind out a win against a tough Poyen squad.
We’re going to have to win a game like that in the postseason, almost assuredly.”
UP NEXT
Ouachita and Poyen will get ready to compete in district tournament baseball competition to aim for productive play in the postseason.