ST. LOUIS – [GAME ONE BOX] [GAME TWO BOX] Missouri Baptist suffered its first loss since February 8 on Saturday against the Park University Pirates, but came back to salvage game two in a 4-3 loss and a 2-0 win.
Missouri Baptist (22-4, 7-1 AMC) entered Saturday winners of their last 21 consecutive games, but the Pirates played spoiler to the No. 4 team in the country as MBU looked to break the University's All-Time record.
In game one, Missouri Baptist gave starting pitcher Dave Mullins a three-run lead, but the Pirates chipped away until breaking through for two runs to tie the game at three in the sixth.
The game remained tied as both teams had chances to win it. Perhaps the best of these came in the bottom of the 10th as Larry Schimsa grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded.
Heading to the 11th, the Spartans pulled reliever Michael Murano and turned to Chris Kenney to hold the Pirates, but Park broke through with two outs.
Kenney got Park leadoff hitter Kirk Pruitt to fly out to center, but could not hold the Pirate offense. JoJo Garcia-Fortuna walked and second-baseman Tyler Malcook singled to make it first and second with just one out. And two batters later, Jake Smith singled-in what would become the game winning run.
MBU struggled in the bottom of the inning as Chad Gordon tossed his fifth inning of relief to preserve the win.
In game two, Spartan starter Michael Yarborough rose to the occasion and pitched an absolute masterpiece. The right-handed pitcher went the distance and allowed just two hits in seven innings of work to lead Missouri Baptist to its 22nd win of the season. For Yarborough, it was the sixth win of the season. He now improves to 6-0 and ties Brandon Zywicki with the team lead.
With the win, the Spartans secured the season series victory over the Pirates. The team will now head out on the road to play Lyon College on Monday and Tuesday in an AMC makeup series, which was postponed just a couple of weeks ago.
