OZARK, Mo.- Drury opened a four-game series against McKendree with a sweep of a doubleheader on Friday at US Baseball Park in Ozark. The Panthers won the first game 14-2 and took the second game 9-1.
 
Drury improved to 4-2 while dropping the Bearcats to 1-4.
 
In game one, the Panthers took an 8-0 lead after scoring five runs in the fourth inning. Drury got RBI hits by Riley Herron and Devan O'Bryan and after a two-out error, Shane Benes slammed a two-run home run to straight-away center field to cap the Panthers scoring in the inning. Benes finished the game 2 for 5 with two runs, three runs batted in, a home run and a triple.
 
Ryan Colombo (2-0) got the win in game one going 7 innings allowing nine hits and two runs with one walk and four strikeouts.
 
Drury scored five runs in the opening frame of game two in a 9-1 win. The Panthers got solo home runs from Nic Perkins and Benes. Perkins went 3 for 4 and added a double and three RBI's in the win.
 
Garrett Woods (1-1) pitched six innings allowing four hits and one run with one walk and six strikeouts.
 
"We did a good job of playing with a lead," said Drury head coach Scott Nasby. "Against Washburn last week, we were playing from behind in three of the four games. Today, our offense did a good job of not trying to do too much early and we were able to put it on them in the middle innings.
 
"Garrett Woods pitched great today," added Nasby. "He attacked the zone on a tough day to hit with the wind howling."
 
The series continues on Saturday with a single, nine-inning game. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at US Baseball Park in Ozark.
 

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