2/16/2026 Clarksville, AR: This weekend, the Blue Jays found themselves back where they were a week ago in Arkansas, this time searching for a better outcome. A rain-filled weekend included a matchup against Hardin-Simmons, followed by two games versus the University of the Ozarks.
Game One: 12–2 L vs. Hardin-Simmons
Recap: After Saturday's games were canceled due to rain, the Jays opened the weekend against the Cowboys with last week's hero, Jack Page, on the mound. Page began his outing in similar fashion, shutting out Hardin-Simmons through the first four innings. However, after the Blue Jays failed to capitalize on a leadoff double by Braeden Eye, momentum shifted in the Cowboys' favor.
In the bottom of the fifth, Hardin-Simmons finally got to Page. After three straight hits to open the inning, a three-run homer ended the day for the Blue Jays' right-hander. From there, the game unraveled for the Jays, as the Cowboys added two more runs in the inning and followed it up with a five-run sixth to put the game out of reach.
Game Two: 6–2 L vs. University of the Ozarks
Recap: Later that day, the Blue Jays took on the University of the Ozarks with senior Derek Archer on the mound, hoping to bounce back from a less-than-ideal season debut. Archer once again started the game in rocky fashion, surrendering five runs in the second inning, but this time he buckled down and worked four more innings, shutting out the Eagles the rest of the way and giving the Jays a chance to rally.
Unfortunately, the offense couldn't provide support for Archer or left-hander
Dawson Willard, who relieved him and tossed 2.1 shutout innings. The Blue Jays managed just one run the rest of the game and entered Sunday needing a win to avoid an Arkansas sweep.
Game three 14-6 W vs University of Ozarks
Recap: To avoid the sweep, the Blue Jays turned to righty Collyn Wright. While his outing wasn't perfect, giving up three earned runs over the course of two innings, it was the offense and the bullpen that stepped up to get Westmisnter over the hump on the weekend. The Jays scored an astonishing 14 runs, highlighted by a nine run 7 inning. The red-hot Braeden Eye led the way, going 3-4 with a homer and three RBIs. Other notable bats for the Jays were all-conference shortstop
Troy Romero (4-5, 2 RBIs) and flashy centerfielder
Aden Pecka (3-3). The hot hitting and bullpen dominance all equated to the Blue Jays once again avoiding the sweep and going 1-2 on the weekend.
The Blue Jays will finally get away from Arkansas and play their home opening series against Carthage College on Friday, followed by two doubleheaders against Carthage and Grinnell College.
