RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The Ottawa University baseball team opened its season Friday with two losses to NCAA Division II Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark.

Ottawa lost 8-3 and 5-4. Arkansas Tech coach Dave Dawson is a former Brave and holds the school record for career walks (72).

Ottawa got the season off to a quick start with three runs in the first inning.

Jake Kolenda singled to left then Cody Parks reached on a fielder’s choice. Kolenda beat throw to second and advanced to third on the error.

Dustin Balmer drove in Kolenda with a single. A wild pitch scored Parks and Nick Deichler singled to left, scoring Balmer. Arkansas Tech scored three in the bottom of the first to tie it at 3-3

The Wonder Boys scored three in the fifth and two in the sixth.

Deichler went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Braves. Ottawa pitcher Jacob Loucks went 4 1/3 innings in the loss. Tyler Wilson came on in relief for Loucks, pitching 1 2/3 innings.

Ottawa grabbed the early lead in the nightcap with a run in the second inning. Kyle Penner had an RBI single. Arkansas Tech scored two in the second and one each in the third and fifth innings to make it 4-1.

Ottawa scored three in the sixth inning to tie at 4-4. Ottawa loaded the bases. Greg Wisner scored one with a single. Andy See’s sacrifice fly tied the game.

Arkansas Tech scored one in the sixth and held Ottawa in the seventh.

Wisner had two hits and an RBI. Quinn went 2-for-3 and scored twice.  

Cole Meeks pitched five innings and had two strikeouts.

Ottawa (0-2) plays 1 p.m. Saturday in McPherson against Central Christian College.