ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist baseball opened the 2014 campaign with a loss to the top team in the NAIA. After taking a 3-1 lead, the defending National Champion, Faulkner University, put together a three-run sixth inning to claim its fourth win of the year, 5-4.
Missouri Baptist (0-1) gave up a run in the first and one in the third, but thanks to some timely hitting, took a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the second. The Eagles cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the third, but that was all they managed while facing Spartan starter Brandon Zywicki.
The right-handed pitcher from Rochester, Minn., was as good as advertised through five innings on Friday. Zywicky struck-out two Faulkner batters and allowed just four hits in his first outing of the season.
The final three Eagle runs were charged to Carl Jameson. The newcomer from Hilmar, Calif., allowed three runs (two earned) and four hits in one inning of work.
The Spartans nearly tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, but came-up just short. MBU posted one run in the top of the seventh, but the game ended with the tying run at third.
Trevin Craig went 2-3 as he got his first start of the season at first base. Brent Zimmerman and Orlando Olivera both went 1-for-4 with one RBI a piece.
