POINT LOOKOUT, MO - The College of the Ozarks Bobcats faced a challenging start to their baseball season, falling to the Ecclesia College Royals 12-4 on February 4th at Coach Bob Smith Field. Despite the cloudy weather, the opponents came well-prepared for what was a thrilling opening day of the regular season.

The Royals displayed a strong offensive performance, with multiple players, including Jett Warner and Adrian Vivo, each contributing two runs to their team's victory. In contrast, the Bobcats managed to score one run each by Trey Riley, Charlie Parker, Craig Busse, and Landon Jines. The initially close contest saw its tides turn as Ecclesia progressively took the lead, dominating the latter innings.

College of the Ozarks started with Brody Tyler on the mound, while Ecclesia entrusted their pitching to Aiden Wagley. Unfortunately for the home fans, the Royals' lineup proved too robust, exploiting gaps and capitalizing on crucial plays.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Bobcats secured a narrow 5-4 victory against the Royals.

The Bobcats, who leveled their season record to 1-1, saw outstanding performances from several players. Ty Rush proved to be a pivotal player for the Bobcats, scoring three runs and showcasing his versatility by hitting a single, double, and triple, in addition to stealing two bases. Charlie Parker also made significant contributions with a triple, an RBI, and a crucial walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to seal the victory for the home team. On the pitching side, the Bobcats started with Brody Baumann, who, along with the defensive unit, managed to hold off the Royals who dropped to a season record of 1-4.

Looking beyond today's game, the College of the Ozarks Bobcats are scheduled to meet Evangel University on Friday in Springfield. After the Tuesday split, the Bobcats hold a record of 1-1 and will look to continue on the winning path against the Valor. Game times will be 12:00 and 2:00 on Friday. Saturday, Evangel will visit Coach Bob Smith Field for a twin bill starting at noon.