Waxahachie, TX | April 7, 2026 — The Nelson University Lions stepped into the Lions Athletic Complex locked in and ready for war. What started as a quiet battle early quickly turned into a full-on offensive explosion, as the Lions stormed past Huston-Tillotson 12-3 behind a relentless late-game surge.
For four innings, Nelson found themselves in a grinder. Huston-Tillotson struck first with a solo shot in the third and added pressure in the fourth and fifth innings, building a 3-0 lead. The Lions were searching, knocking on the door but unable to break through.
Then the fifth inning hit and everything changed.
Nelson ignited with a four-run burst that flipped the entire tone of the game. Odnal Rivera sparked the rally with a clutch RBI single, before Drew "Drippy" Ortiz delivered again, continuing his hot streak at the plate. The biggest swing came off the bat of Ethan Starks, who ripped a two-RBI double to put the Lions in front and electrify the dugout.
With momentum fully in their corner, the Lions never let up.
Nelson tacked on two more in the sixth, highlighted by another RBI knock from Ortiz, who finished the day going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Rivera matched him with three hits of his own, while Starks added three hits and two RBIs in a dominant performance at the plate.
On the mound, the bullpen slammed the door. Ryan Avalos earned the win with 3.1 steady innings, allowing just one run while controlling the pace and silencing the opposition. From there, Dylan Zajicek and Jake McMahan closed it out with composure, limiting any chance of a comeback.
But the knockout blow came in the eighth.
Clinging to a 6-3 lead, Nelson exploded for six runs in a decisive frame that buried Huston-Tillotson for good. The moment of the night came from Tristian McGee, who stepped in and delivered a three-RBI double that blew the game wide open and sent the Lions' crowd into a frenzy.
When the dust settled, Nelson had piled up 12 runs on 12 hits, showcasing depth and an offense that can erupt at any moment.
Next Up?
The Lions hit the road for Sooner Athletic Conference action as they travel to Point Lookout, Missouri for a doubleheader against College of the Ozarks on Friday, April 10 at 3:00 PM.
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.
