ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist baseball never got its offense in gear on Monday afternoon. Cunberland University dropped five runs on the Spartans in the first inning, which set the stage for a 7-1 win.

Missouri Baptist dug itself an early hole against the Bulldogs with two outs in the inning. Cory Urquhart singled to lead-off the inning for Cumberland and advanced to third two batters later after MBU turned the 4-6-3 double play.

With two away in the inning, the Spartans looked to get out of the inning unscathed, but six consecutive hits from Cumberland turned what looked to be a quick inning into a five-run explosion. Brodie Ross recorded the first RBI with a base hit to score Urquhart.

Daniel Harrison knocked a single to make it two on and two out for Spartan pitcher Mike Avila when Justin Johnston came to the plate and drove a 2-1 pitch to right field for an RBI triple and made it 3-0 Bulldogs. The team tacked-on two more runs and ended the inning with a big lead.

Missouri Baptist starter Mike Avila had a rough first inning but calmed down afterward. The lefty surrendered just two runs in his final five innings of work in the loss. Avila is now 0-2 on the year.

MBU scored its only run in the game in the eighth inning. Ryan Clarke reached base on an error, stole second and advanced to third on a balk, all with one out. Jo Jo Taylor came to the plate and hit a line drive to center field to record a sacrifice fly and end the Bulldog shutout bid.

Curtis Sawchuck entered the game in the seventh for Missouri Baptist and provided two solid innings in relief. He allowed just one hit and recorded one strikeout on the day.

MBU will get right back at it tomorrow. The team will face the No. 25-ranked Judson University at 10:00 a.m. before an evening clash with the Bulldogs under the lights.