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By RAMA PEROO
Cowley College

Jumping out to a 5-1 lead after the first three innings of play at No. 16-ranked Butler Community College on Tuesday, the No. 10-ranked Cowley College baseball team could not hold the lead as the Grizzlies slowly chipped away and eventually scored the winning run in its final at bat.

The 6-5 loss for the Tigers was their third one-run defeat in their last four games, and it was the second time Cowley has lost in its opponents final at bat.

Cowley opened the game with five hits and three runs in its first at bat. Butler would answer with a run in the bottom of the first, before the Tigers would score a run in each of the next two innings to lead 5-1.

However, a pair of Grizzlies' relievers held Cowley scoreless over the game's final six innings of play. Cullen Pryor pitched the final two innings to pick up the win.

John Maler went the first two innings on the mound for the Tigers and allowed one run. Jared Shelton followed with two scoreless innings of relief, while Calvin Drinnen allowed just one run as he pitched the fifth and sixth innings.

Chris O'Brien followed on the mound and allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings. Michael Flanagin recorded the final out of the eighth inning to keep the score tied at 5-5. However, after Flanagin (0-3) retired the first two batters in the bottom of the ninth, he walked J.D. Herman, balked him to second, and then surrendered the game winning single by Dorian Williams.

Cowley's Frank Specht continued his torrid hitting at the plate as he went 3-for-5, while Nick Snow and Heath Wall each went 3-for-4.

Cowley is now 1-4 on the season, while Butler improves to 4-3. The Tigers will get a chance to avenge the defeat when they host Butler in a nine-inning game today at 2 p.m. at City Ball Park.