ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Baptist softball team picked up two big wins over NCAA Division II rival the Lindenwood Lions. MBU won the first game 7-4 and won the second 3-2 in eight innings. 

The first game of the day was all MBU from the start. The Spartans scored three runs in the first inning to set the tone early. MBU added four more runs in the fourth to take a commanding 7-0 lead. The Lions did not go away though. Lindenwood put a few runs on the board, but MBU won the game 7-4.

Corey Pitchford went 1-2 and Danielle Bayer went 2-4 and each had two RBI in the first game. 

In the second game the Spartans jumped out the early lead behind Megan Wildhaber. Wildhaber led off the game with a single and later came around to score to take the lead 1-0 over the Lions.

The Lions would answer back in the bottom of the second to tie the game at one. MBU did not get fazed and responded right back in the top of the third. Wildhaber reached on an error and later came in to score the second run of the game and give the Spartans the lead.

Lindenwood would not go down without a fight. The Spartans were one out away from getting the victory when the Lions got a single from Alexandria Newcomb followed by a double from Deidre Merli to tie the game at two and force extra innings.

In non-conference games, extra innings are played under the international tie-breaker rules. This means that every inning the team will start with a runner on second base. The runner will be the last batter to get out in the previous inning.

Pitchford was placed a second base and after a single by Wildhaber, the Spartans looked to make this a big inning. On a hit by Sierra Thompson, Pitchford was thrown out at the plate which brought Bayer to bat. Bayer stepped up with runners on first and third and hit a double to score Wildhaber again. The Spartans shut down the Lions in bottom of the eighth inning and picked up the victory 3-2.

Wildhaber went 2-4 in game one with two runs scored and in game two went 2-4 with three runs scored. 

The Spartans now move to 15-11 on the season and they remain 7-7 in the American Midwest Conference. MBU continues the busy week and is right back in action tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Columbia, Mo. for a doubleheader against AMC rival the Columbia Cougars. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.