KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Missouri Baptist posted five runs in the seventh inning of Saturday's NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round against AMC foe, Benedictine University-Springfield and never looked back in an 8-4 win.

Missouri Baptist (33-12) struggled early, but after digging a four-run hole in the top of the second, the team began to rebound in the fifth. Benedictine jumped-out to a quick four-run lead, two of which were unearned after an error at first-base on the would-be second out.

The Bulldogs chased Spartan starter Nathan Utt from the game after three innings. Reliever Chris Cordova came on to in relief and was outstanding. The sophomore gave up just one hit in six solid innings of relief with three strikeouts.

Benedictine posted its first run of the game after David Maziarz reached base on an error by Spartan first baseman Dan Harper. Mariarz came around to score later in the inning. Then after two hits and a wild pitch, Brandon Koisher doubled-in two runs helping his team to the early advantage.

The tide began to turn in the bottom of the fifth. The Spartans posted two runs thanks to a double by Ryan Clarke. The MBU center fielder drove a ball down the line in right field, which scored pinch-runner Vinny Fresquez. Shortstop Jared Klay cut-off the throw from right and made an errant toss to third, which allowed Clarke to score, and made it a 4-2 game.

The Spartans took full control in the seventh. MBU posted five runs on homeruns by Ryan Gunhouse and Ricky Pagan to put the team from St. Louis up for good. Gunhouse took a 2-2 pitch over the left-field wall to score three and put the team up 5-4. Pagan came to the plate four batters later and drove the first pitch he saw over the fence in right to extend the lead to 7-4.

Missouri Baptist tacked-on another run in the bottom of the eighth and secured the win, which ended the National Championship run for the Bulldogs.

The Spartans now advance to play Tennessee Wesleyan for the second time in the tournament. An MBU win would set-up a game on Monday in which the winner would advance to the Avista-NAIA World Series. Game time for Saturday's second game is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. CST at Hunter Wright Stadium.