ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist needed a sweep against Benedictine-Springfield in order to secure its fourth American Midwest Conference Title in as many years. The Bulldogs had other plans, however, as the Spartans won game one 3-1 and dropped the second, 5-2.
Missouri Baptist (28-9, 22-4) looked good, late in game one after the Bulldogs took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. The Spartans tied the game at one in the fourth and posted two runs in the fifth to take the lead for good.
MBU recorded just three hits in the game, but took advantage of costly errors by Benedictine down the stretch. Ryan Gunhouse and Ricky Pagan both went 1-2 while Patrick Johnson also recorded a hit in the game.
Spartan pitcher Ethan Gibbons got the win. He threw six innings and allowed just one earned run and two walks while he struck out seven batters. Matt Marsh entered the game in the seventh and picked-up his seventh save of the year.
The Bulldogs turned around in game two and handed Missouri Baptist its first home loss of the season. Benedictine, powered by a four-run third inning, recorded nine hits off Spartan starter Julien Soucy. The senior from Arizona surrendered just one earned run, an RBI single by Sean Fitzgerald in the eighth.
The four-run fourth was the difference in the second game. An error by Patrick Johnson allowed Bulldog center fielder Zane Dillon to reach first, putting runners at both first and second with just one out. A groundout back to the pitcher allowed the first run to score and a three-run homerun by Tommy Jennings was all that Benedictine needed.
Pier Olivier-Dostaler went 2-4 in the game with a run scored while Mykol Sostarich went 1-2 with a run scored. MBU tagged Benedictine's Jordan Besko for just two earned runs.
Missouri Baptist is currently the leader in the AMC standings with just two more conference games left. Lyon College's three losses over the weekend to William Woods have allowed the Spartans to control their own fate. Just one win against Benedictine on Monday will secure the team's fourth AMC regular-season title in a row.
Prior to game one, the team celebrated senior day and honored its 10 seniors: Ryan Gunhouse, Jo Jo Taylor, Garrett Vail, Kyle Turner, Nathan Utt, Mike Avila, Chris Walker, Julien Soucy, Ethan Gibbons and Patrick Johnson. Coach Eddie Uschold spoke briefly about each of the seniors at home plate prior to Saturday's first game.
