Point Lookout, MO | April 10, 2026 — The Nelson University Lions didn't just win… they dominated.

In a true "masterful performance," the Lions overwhelmed College of the Ozarks 12-1, combining elite pitching, timely power, and a relentless offensive barrage that broke the game wide open in the middle innings.

It started as a steady climb.

Nelson scratched across runs in the second and fourth innings, with Joshua Pinter delivering an early RBI knock and Addison Patton executing a perfect sacrifice to give the Lions a 2-1 edge. But even with the lead, this one still felt like it was waiting to explode.

Then came the fifth.

Drew "Drippy" Ortiz launched a two-run homer that flipped the switch and gave Nelson breathing room. And once the Lions smelled blood, they never looked back.

The sixth inning was a knockout.

Nelson poured in seven runs in a relentless stretch that buried the Ozarks for good. Joshua Pinter delivered the loudest blow of the frame with a two-run home run, part of a monster day at the plate where he went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. 

Odnal Rivera continued to be the engine at the top, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored, constantly applying pressure and setting the table. Ortiz added two hits and two RBIs, while TJ Sweat chipped in with a pair of hits and an RBI as Nelson piled up 13 hits as a team. 

And on the mound?

Reagan Smith was untouchable.

The right-hander delivered a complete statement performance, going the distance with 7.0 innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out five and issuing zero walks. 

That's how you set the tone on the road.

By the time the final out settled into a glove, the Lions had outscored the Ozarks 12-1, out-hit them 13-4, and played clean, error-free baseball in every phase. 

Next Up?
The Lions look to close the series strong tomorrow, returning to the field on Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 AM for the finale against College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri.

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.