ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist took a 3-0 lead early and posted a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to grab a 5-4 getaway victory from Cumberland University on Tuesday evening.
Missouri Baptist (7-5) posted a quick 3-0 lead but Cumberland tied it in the second inning and made it a close one all the way till the end. In the first, MBU posted the first run of the game. Patrick Johnson led-off with a base hit and stole second just minutes later to put the first batter in scoring position. Later in the inning, Ryan Gunhouse reached on a fielder's choice, which scored Johnson from third base to give his team a 1-0 lead.
The Spartans posted two more runs in the top of the second, which was all started by Ricky Pagan. The native of Puerto Rico doubled to right center with two outs to put the first runner aboard. Mykol Sostarich followed with an RBI single and stole second giving Johnson a chance at his first RBI of the game. The shortstop came through with a single to score Sostarich and all of a sudden, MBU led 3-0.
Cumberland recovered in the bottom of the second. Spartan pitcher Ethan Gibbons hit the first batter and walked the next as the inning began. Gibbons then surrendered a base hit to Tyler Anderson and just like that, the Bulldogs were on the board.
Catcher Tyler Alford came to the plate and delivered the second RBI with a sacrifice fly to center and cut the Spartan lead to 3-2. Cory Urquhart followed with an RBI double and Cumberland ended the inning with a tie ball game.
Cumberland took its only lead of the game in the third thanks to an RBI single by Justin Johnston. This was the final Bulldog run to cross the plate in the evening.
MBU tied the game in the fourth thanks to the bat of Garrett Vail. The senior drove a 1-0 delivery from Nick Conley over the left field wall to record his first homerun of the season.
MBU grabbed the lead run in the fifth. After loading the bases, Ryan Clarke hit an RBI single, which scored Johnson, and took a 5-4 lead. From this point forward, the Spartan pitching staff took a lead role in the game.
Chris Kenney came back after tossing a scoreless fourth and repeated the effort in the fifth. Kenney finished the game throwing two and two-thirds innings of scoreless, two-hit baseball before being replaced by Spartan closer Matt Marsh.
Marsh was tasked with the final four outs and was impressive in his outing. The junior faced just four batters and struck out all four to get the save and preserve the win.
Patrick Johnson was outstanding in the game. The senior went 4-4 with 2 stolen bases and 2 RBI. Johnson has been very good this season and put together another clutch performance for MBU.
With the win, MBU improved to a season-best 7-5. The team is scheduled for a four-game set with conference rival, Park University over the weekend.
