Clarksville, Ark. - The Eagles opened the 2026 season with a double-header sweep against Champion Christian College on Saturday at Lonnie R. Qualls Field.
GAME ONE
The Eagles used a big early surge and steady offense throughout to post a season-opening 9-3 win against Champion Christian, collecting 12 hits and swiping four bases in the win.
The Eagles did most of its damage in the first and fourth innings, totaling nine runs.
Offensively for the Eagles, Matthew McDonald went a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Gabriel Ellison added two hits, including a double, and scored twice. Connor Reed drove in two and scored twice, while Jacob Knox added a two-run hit. The Eagle es lineup combined for eight RBIs and consistently pressured the defense with aggressive baserunning.
Jake Dempsey earned the win for the Eagles, allowing two runs over 4.1 innings with two strikeouts. The bullpen limited Champion Christian to one run over the final 2.2 innings to secure the 9–3 victory.
Champion Christian finished with nine hits but left seven runners on base and managed just two RBIs on the day.
GAME TWO
The Eagles broke things open with a big middle inning and took advantage of defensive miscues to pull away for an 11–2 game two win.
Champion Christian collected seven hits and drew five walks but couldn't capitalize, leaving 12 runners on base and striking out 12 times.
The Eagles did significant damage in the third inning, scoring seven runs. While six hits fueled the rally, only one of the seven runs in that frame was earned, as Champion Christian committed three errors on the day.
Langdon Townsend paced Ozarks' offense, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Taber Childs added a double and drove in three, while Connor Reed and Rene Garcia each knocked in a run. The Eagles were aggressive on the bases, racking up multiple stolen bases and constantly applying pressure.
On the mound, Aiden Shea earned the win, striking out six over three innings while allowing two runs. The bullpen combined for four scoreless innings, giving up no hits and striking out six to seal the victory.
The Eagles will host Hardin-Simmons University February 13 and Westminster College February 14 and February 15.
