March 14, 2025
Waxahachie, TX – The Nelson University Lions battled the College of the Ozarks in a Friday afternoon doubleheader at the Lions Athletic Complex, but despite flashes of promise, the visitors took both games in the series opener. The Lions will now look to regroup and defend home turf in tomorrow's series finale.
Game 1
Nelson (0-2) kept pace early in the opener, but a six-run fourth inning by the College of the Ozarks shifted the momentum for good. The Lions' offense struggled to break through, managing just four hits in the contest.
Andrew Ortiz delivered the lone RBI for Nelson, driving in a run in the fifth inning with a double. Xavien Thompson showcased his speed with a triple, but the Lions couldn't string together enough hits to rally.
On the mound, Javier Balderas (0-1) started strong but ran into trouble in the fourth. The Lions' bullpen worked to contain the damage, with Vincent Rosas providing a scoreless outing, but College of the Ozarks tacked on late runs to seal a 14-2 victory.
Game 2
In the second game, Nelson kept things close early but couldn't contain the College of the Ozarks' offense, which posted a five-run third inning. The Lions answered back with a run in the fourth, courtesy of a Dominick Padilla RBI double, but the visitors continued to extend their lead, ultimately claiming an 11-2 win.
Pitcher Ryan Avalos (0-1) battled through four innings, striking out six but allowing seven runs (five earned). The Lions' bullpen, led by Dylan Zajicek, put up a strong effort in the later innings, but the early deficit proved too steep to overcome.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setbacks, the Lions will have another shot at redemption as they face College of the Ozarks in the series finale on Saturday at noon. Nelson looks to bounce back, fueled by home-field pride and a determined squad ready to turn the tide. #WhereLionsFindTheirRoar
Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.
