Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 St. Louis, Mo.- Jenna Bentlage led the Spartans in game one against Culver-Stockton, with a three RBI day for the 3-2 victory. The pitching dominated in game two, as Missouri Baptist cruised to a 5-1 win.
Game one was scoreless until Bentlage gave the Spartans the momentum they were looking for. The first baseman hit a line drive single to right, scoring two runs, giving MBU a 2-0 lead. The lead however, was short lived as in the top of the fourth, Whitney Birk hit a two run homer over the left field wall off starter Jena Trombley, tying the game up 2-2.
Neither team was able to break the tie, until in the bottom of the seventh, there were runners on first and second for Bentlage with two outs. The junior hit another base hit to left field, allowing the game winning run to score for the win. Trombley pitched very well, throwing a complete game allowing two runs on four hits and striking out one.
In game two, the Wildcats grabbed an early 1-0 lead, after a Victoria Sendejas single that scored Jenny Merrill from third. Starter Kellsie Domnitz shut down Culver-Stockton after that inning, throwing a complete game allowing only one run on eight hits and striking out two.
The offense got things going in the bottom of the fourth inning. Megan Wildhaber hit a double with one out, and scored on a Katie Payne double to center tying the game. After a passed ball that advanced Payne to third, Bentlage hit a sacrifice fly scoring Payne, giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead.
The team added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, started off by a Miranda Romero triple to right. Romero scored on a Jordyn Nobbs single, extending the lead to 3-1.Missouri Baptist added two more runs before the inning was over, pushing the advantage to four. Domnitz was able to shut down the Wildcats in the final two innings, for the win. Wildhaber led the way offensively going 3-3, with one run scored and one RBI.
The teams' record moves to an impressive 20-6 and will be back on the field again on March 30th, when the Spartans host conference foe Park University. First pitch is set to start at 2:00 p.m.
