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Box Score 2 ST. LOUIS – [Game One Box] [Game Two Box] The final tune-up of the season before the American Midwest Conference Tournament saw every Spartan in the box score, as the Missouri Baptist softball team swept NCAA Division III Blackburn. MBU won game one in five innings, 10-0, while defeating the Beavers in game two, 6-0.
In game one, the Spartans (26-14) came out firing on all cylinders, plating three runs on three hits. Mikala Torrence began the inning with a leadoff single through the 5-6 hole. Torrence would score on a two-out single through the 5-6 hole off the bat of Lexi Gray. Dee Dee Peters followed with a 2-run triple off the centerfield wall to extend the lead to 3-0.
In the second, the Spartans exploded for seven runs on six hits and were aided by two Blackburn errors. Missouri Baptist sent 11 batters to the plate. Pitchford, Andrea Chessor, Gray, and Mariah Randazzo each doubled in the inning, while Kelsey Snider and Payton Anderson singled.
Starting pitcher Andrea Chessor allowed just two base runners in her three innings of work. She gave up just a base hit and a hit by pitch in the third inning. She tallied four strikeouts in the contest.
Freshman Nicole Hughes tossed the final two innings, allowing just one hit.
Freshman Lexi Gray led the Spartan offense, pounding two hits in three at-bats. She also scored twice and drove in three RBI.
Dee Dee Peters poked one hit, a two-RBI triple.
In game two, Missouri Baptist scored one run on two hits in the first inning. Mikala Torrence led off the inning with a triple to right. She would be tagged out on Corey Pitchford's ground ball back to the pitcher. Payton Anderson followed with an RBI double to right field, giving the Spartans the 1-0 lead.
The Spartans tacked-on four more runs in the bottom of the 4th on six hits. Lexi Gray led off the inning with a triple down the right field line. She would score two batters later on Sierra Thompson's double down the left field line. Mariah Randazzo singled up the middle on the next pitch, which scored Thompson. Pinch-hitter Kara Pochon tripled down the right field line, which scored Randazzo. Mikala Torrence followed with a single to left, scoring Pochon. The Spartans led 5-0 after four complete innings.
Freshman pitcher Madison Calvert allowed just two hits over 5.0 innings of work. The two hits were an infield hit and a bunt single. She struck out three batters and improved to 9-2 with the win.
The Spartans added another run in the 6th on three hits. Randazzo led off the inning with a single to left. She scored on Pochon's single through the left side.
Jena Trombley finished the contest, tossing 2.0 innings. She gave up three hits and struck out two batters.
Payton Anderson led the MBU attack, going 3-for-4 at the plate. She doubled once and drove in one RBI.
Dee Dee Peters, Mikala Torrence, and Mariah Randazzo each pounded two hits.
The Spartans will travel to Columbia, Mo. to take on Park in the Opening Round of the American Midwest Conference tournament on Wednesday.
