Waxahachie, TX | March 14, 2026 — Sometimes baseball delivers moments that feel bigger than the box score. On Saturday afternoon at the Lions Athletic Complex, the Nelson University Lions delivered one of those moments. Trailing late and searching for a spark, the Lions erupted in the bottom of the seventh inning — and the hero of the day was none other than the reigning Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Week, "Drippy" Drew Ortiz. With two runners aboard and the crowd on its feet, Ortiz crushed a walk-off three-run home run to send the Lions storming off the field with a dramatic 5–3 victory over Southwestern Christian in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader.
It was incredible. The cream rises and big players show up in big-time moments. That dog can definitely hunt.
Nelson struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Joshua Pinter opened the frame with a double before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt from Odnal Rivera. Ortiz then drove him home with an RBI groundout to give the Lions the early 1–0 lead. Southwestern Christian answered in the second inning when Elvis Rojas delivered an RBI single to tie the game at 1–1. The Eagles continued to pressure Nelson's pitching staff, taking the lead in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Nate Anderson before adding another run in the sixth to stretch the advantage to 3–1.
With the Lions down to their final inning, Diego Arcay ignited the rally in the bottom of the seventh. Arcay launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 3–2, bringing life back into the Lions dugout and into the stands at the Complex.
Moments later, Nelson continued to apply pressure. A single from Odnal Rivera and a baserunner in scoring position set the stage for the moment everyone in purple had been waiting for.
Then Ortiz stepped in.
On a 2–0 pitch, Ortiz unloaded.
The ball rocketed off the bat and soared over the fence for a three-run walk-off home run, instantly ending the game and sending the Lions into a celebration at home plate. The blast capped a four-run seventh inning and completed Nelson's comeback victory.
Ortiz finished the game with four RBIs, delivering the biggest swing of the afternoon when it mattered most.
Javier Balderas gave the Lions five solid innings on the mound, striking out six while keeping Nelson within striking distance.
Out of the bullpen, Hamilton Moye was lights out, tossing two scoreless innings and earning the win as the Lions set the stage for their late-game heroics.
Nelson finished with six hits on the afternoon, including key knocks from Pinter, Rivera, Arcay, and Ortiz as the Lions rallied late to secure the victory.
Next Up
The Lions return to the Lions Athletic Complex next week as they continue their home stand.
Mar 17 (Tue) | 3:00 PM
vs. Wiley University
Lions Athletic Complex – Waxahachie, Texas
Nelson University (formerly SA GU) 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.
