Point Lookout, MO - College of the Ozarks stormed back with a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to erase a late deficit and defeat MidAmerica Nazarene 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Bob Smith Field. The decisive run came when Ty Rush was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, completing a comeback that turned a 4-2 deficit into a dramatic one-run victory in the Bobcats’ season opener.

Trailing by two runs entering their final at-bat, the Bobcats ignited their rally with a clutch pinch-hit appearance from Alex Nimmo. Nimmo delivered a run-scoring infield single to cut the deficit to 4-3 and keep pressure on the Pioneers’ defense. Moments later, L. Strahan crossed the plate when leadoff hitter Landon Jines was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, tying the game at 4-4. Rush then absorbed another hit-by-pitch to force in the go-ahead run, giving College of the Ozarks its second lead of the day and the margin it needed to seal the win.

The late surge capped a strong offensive performance from Craig Busse, who reached base in all three plate appearances. Busse went 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored, providing steady production in the heart of the lineup. Earlier, the Bobcats erased an early deficit in the first inning when Chase Robertson singled to right to drive in a run after Jines scored on an error, evening the game at 1-1.

College of the Ozarks briefly took control in the fifth inning when Busse reached to open the frame and later scored on a line-drive single to left from Broden Mabe, giving the Bobcats a 2-1 advantage. That lead held into the sixth behind starter Ty Thatcher, who delivered a strong outing on the mound. Thatcher worked 6 2/3 innings, striking out five while allowing five hits and four runs — only three earned — while walking two. He threw 77 pitches and kept MidAmerica Nazarene largely in check despite the visitors’ aggressive base running.

MidAmerica Nazarene consistently created scoring opportunities, beginning in the top of the first when Ronnie Rowley singled, stole third and scored on a groundout by C. Ramos. The Pioneers tied the game again in the sixth after Riggs Harper walked, stole second and third, and later scored on a ground-ball double play. In the seventh, MidAmerica Nazarene appeared to seize momentum when Ryan Martinez doubled and scored on a passed ball, and Harper followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 4-2.

Harper led the Pioneers offensively, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, two stolen bases and a walk, while Rowley scored twice and added two stolen bases. MidAmerica Nazarene finished with four runs on five hits and five stolen bases but left five runners on base. College of the Ozarks made the most of its six hits and three hit-by-pitches, stranding just one runner while drawing three walks.

The Bobcats’ ability to respond after surrendering a late lead showcased both their offensive resilience and pitching toughness. With Thatcher setting the tone on the mound and Busse, Mabe and Nimmo leading the offense, College of the Ozarks turned a tense back-and-forth battle into a season-opening comeback victory at Bob Smith Field — an early statement of the team’s ability to execute in pressure situations.