OBU Rallies Pay Off Against USAO

April 1, 2008

PLAINVIEW, Texas - The three-four-five part of the OBU lineup combined for 10 hits and 12 RBI to lead the Bison past USAO in a wild 16-15 elimination game at the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Thursday.

Chris Chambers drove in six runs with two two-run homers and a two-run triple, Mason Reilly knocked in four and Josh Collazo neared the 100-rbi mark with a two-run homer.

The Bison jumped out on top in the first with three runs. Kyle Cooper, Josh Collazo and Mason Reilly strung together consecutive singles with Reilly getting an RBI. Chris Chambers then whipped a two-run triple to center field.

The Drovers tied things with two unearned runs in the third and another in the fourth.

OBU picked up four more runs in the fifth after two a double play left the bases empty. Cooper and Collazo singled ahead of a two-run double by Reilly and a two-run home run by Chambers.

USAO answered with five successive singles to start a seven-run inning in the top of the sixth, capped by a three-run home run by Brandt Lierle.

OBU got the lead right back in the bottom of the sixth on two-run home runs by both Collazo and Chambers. Collazo's two RBI were Nos. 98 and 99 of the season. He was intentionally walked with two in scoring position in the next inning.

USAO scored in the seventh, but the Bison rallied for three in the seventh on an RBI walk by Reilly, an RBI double by Cooper and an RBI single by Frank Avilla.

The Drovers scored four times in the eighth for a 15-14 lead before Chase Jestice (4-2) got the last out on the first pitch of his relief stint.

Billy Thomas had the answer in the bottom of the eighth, ripped a two-run home run for the 16-15 lead.

Jestice got the Drovers in order in the top of the ninth to end the game.

OBU had 17 hits in the game, including four by Collazo, three each by Cooper, Reilly and Chambers and two by Thomas.

The Bison (42-13) will play Wayland Baptist Friday at a time yet to be determined. The games can be heard at www.kkyn.net.