Ozark, MO - College of the Ozarks took control early and kept adding on Thursday, building a 9-1 lead over Randall through the top of the eighth inning in Ozark, Missouri. The Bobcats broke the game open with a three-run third inning and added three more in the fifth, while Cameron Jennings turned in a steady start on the mound.

College of the Ozarks went ahead 2-0 in the top of the first. Brody Baumann was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring home Chase Robertson, and Craig Busse followed with a run-scoring walk. Randall answered in the bottom half when Jett Millsap homered to center field for its only run, trimming the margin to 2-1.

The decisive surge came in the third. Landon Jines delivered a single to center that drove in two runs as the Bobcats stretched the lead to 5-1. The Bobcats added an unearned run in the fourth when Baumann grounded out to first and Aaron Fisher scored, then created more separation in the fifth. Chase Robertson lined an RBI single to right, and Hunter Lewis followed with a two-run triple to left that pushed the advantage to 9-1.

Jennings handled the rest from there. The College of the Ozarks starter worked seven innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out six and walking one over 93 pitches. Randall managed only three hits and left just one runner on base against a Bobcats defense that did not commit an error.

Lewis finished 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBIs, while Jines drove in two runs, scored once, walked once and stole a base. Robertson scored twice and added an RBI, helping the Bobcats produce nine runs on eight hits. The Bobcats also drew six walks, stole two bases and took advantage of three Randall errors as the game remained in firm control.

The Bobcats now advance to the semifinals of the Central Regional Tournament on Friday at noon where they will take on the Eagles of Southwestern Christian University. The remainder of the tournament will be played at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex in Ozark.