LEWISTON, Idaho – Despite one of the best efforts of Spartan starting pitcher Julien Soucy's season, the Faulkner Eagles posted two runs in the bottom of the seventh and held Missouri Baptist scoreless in a 2-0 victory in the Avista-NAIA World Series on Saturday evening.
It was a tight game throughout as a pitcher's duel ensued in the Spartan's second game of the NAIA World Series. Through five innings, both teams were held to two hits as Julien Soucy and Johnny Shuttlesworth both seemed to have batters off-balance. The Spartan righty did seem to have the best of the exchange as he struck out seven batters in seven innings of work.
Action was scarce until the bottom of the seventh when Faulkner capitalized on a bases-loaded scoring opportunity. Cayleb Coker singled with two outs to get the first runner aboard. Just moments later after a walk and a bunt single, bases were loaded and the Spartans were on their heels for the first time in the game.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Zak Colby came to the plate and knocked a single just out of the reach of the outstretched glove of Pier Olivier-Dostaler and scored Xavier Cunningham and Esteban Paula to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead.
The Spartans threatened in the top of the eighth, but could not bring a run around. Ryan Gunhouse reached first on a fielder's choice and came around to third on a single up the middle by Dostaler, which proved to be the end of the threat.
Missouri Baptist and Faulkner both recorded six hits in the game. For the Spartans, designated hitter Joe Stropp was the leader on offense with a 2-4 day.
Shuttlesworth was the winning pitcher and imporved to an NAIA-best, 15-1 on the season. Soucy was tagged with the loss and moves to 5-3 on the year.
Next up for Missouri Baptist is its first elimination game of the World Series against Rogers State. The Hillcats won their first game of the Series on Saturday in a 4-1 victory over York (Neb.). The Spartans will play at 11:00 a.m. CST on Monday, 5/27 at Harris Field on the campus of Lewis-Clark State College.
