ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE GAME 1] [BOX SCORE GAME 2] Following their impressive 15-1 blowout on Friday night, the Spartans (36-10, 18-5) were looking for a clean sweep on Saturday against Hannibal-LaGrange (12-32-1, 5-19), but had to settle for 2 out of 3.
Game 1 got off to a rough start for the Spartans and starter Dave Mullins (5-1), as MBU fell behind 3-0 going into the bottom of the 3rd. That quickly changed though, as the Spartans offense came to life against Hannibal starter Derek Allen.
The Spartans wouldn't let Allen get out of the 3rd inning and touched him up for 7 runs (all earned).
The inning was highlighted by a 3-run blast off the bat of designated hitter, Joe Stropp; his 3rd long ball of the season. Brent Zimmerman and Orlando Olivera also had 2 hits and 2 RBI's a piece in the contest.
That would prove to be plenty of breathing room for the Spartans, as Mullins would settle in and pick up his 5th victory by going the distance with 7 solid innings.
The second game would prove to be a much tighter contest that the Spartans let get away late.
The Spartans offense couldn't reward starter Michael Yarborough for his 7+ strong innings of 1-run ball and reliever Michael Murano (2-4) coughed up the lead in the top half of the 9th to lose the game 2-1.
Joe Stropp and Josh Fuentes each picked up 2 hits for the Spartans.
The loss ended the Spartans modest 3-game winning streak, but taking 2 out of 3 kept them from losing their 3rd straight series.
The Spartans next game will be at home on Monday, April 21st against Benedictine University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00pm.
