Ozark, MO - College of the Ozarks erased a three-run deficit and pushed across three runs in the top of the seventh inning Friday to beat Southwestern Christian 6-4 in the NCCAA Central Regional semifinal in Ozark, Missouri.

The decisive moment came in the final inning of the seven-inning neutral-site game. With the Bobcats trailing 4-3, Hunter Lewis drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the tying run. Brody Baumann followed with another bases-loaded walk to give College of the Ozarks its first lead of the day, and Brody Tyler was then hit by a pitch to bring home an insurance run. The three-run rally completed a comeback after Southwestern Christian had controlled much of the middle innings.

Southwestern Christian scored first in the bottom of the first when Royce Florenzano doubled in a run. The Eagles added to the lead in the fourth, getting RBI singles from Phoenix Nelson and Braden Browning and a sacrifice fly from Nate Anderson to move in front 4-1. College of the Ozarks answered in the top half of the fourth when Baumann brought in a run on a groundout, then drew closer in the fifth. Ty Rush doubled to score Broden Mabe, and Chase Robertson followed with a run-scoring double that plated Landon Jines and cut the deficit to 4-3.

Rush helped drive the offense, finishing 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Chase Robertson went 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a hit by pitch. Baumann did not record a hit, but he delivered two RBIs in key spots, one on the fourth-inning groundout and one on the go-ahead walk in the seventh.

College of the Ozarks finished with six runs on nine hits, including three doubles, and made the most of late pressure despite leaving seven runners on base. The Bobcats also drew three walks and were hit by three pitches, all factors that became critical in the seventh-inning comeback. Southwestern Christian totaled four runs on eight hits and did not commit an error, while College of the Ozarks was charged with two errors.

By the end, the semifinal turned on patience at the plate and timely extra-base hits, with the Bobcats using a two-run fifth to stay close before the bases-loaded sequence in the seventh sent College of the Ozarks on with a 6-4 regional victory.

The Bobcats will face Southwestern Christian for the Regional Championship, Saturday at 2:30 following the senior Bobcats walking across the stage in Keeter Gymnasium to receive their degree during commencent.

Due to the double elimination format, the "if needed" game will be played at 5:30 Saturday in Ozark.