ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist Baseball finished their three game series against William Carrey by splitting Saturday's double header. The Spartans dropped game one, but ended the series on a high note with a win in game two. 

Missouri Baptist (6-5, 0-0 AMC), after a one-run loss on Friday night, started the day slow. In game one, the Spartans fell behind early and never recovered.

Adrian Brown, in similar fashion to Friday's game, gave the Crusaders a one-run lead in the bottom of the second. After two quick outs by Spartans starting pitcher Robert Evans, Brown hit his first home run of the season.

The third inning gave William Carey all the cushion they needed as their offense exploded with six hits and five runs. An error from Spartans first baseman John Hagan put two runners at second and third for the Crusaders. Tyler Richardson singled to right to score both runners during the next at bat.

A pair of singles and a fielder's choice followed, scoring an additional run and leaving runners at second and third. The Spartans made a pitching change, replacing Evans with Donnie Lovelady.

Striking for the second time, Adrian Brown singled and scored both runners.

After a Lovelady strikeout and a fly out, the Spartans put a stop to the Crusader hit parade.

The Spartan offense was cold through the first four innings, with only two baserunners and no hits.

In the top of the fifth, Missouri Baptist ended their drought. John Hagan bunted and reached on a base hit. Angel Cruz doubled down the right field line, advancing Hagan to third. Hagan scored on a Mike Levar sacrifice fly to center, putting the Spartans on the scoreboard.

Missouri Baptist scored one more run in the top of the sixth. Tim Hergert scored on an Austin Rieman single to shallow center.

Lovelady, after the third inning, kept the Crusaders from scoring again. The Spartan reliever only allowed one hit and had two strikeouts with no walks.

Game two told a much different story for the Spartans. William Carey for the third game in a row scored the first run of the game. In the third inning, Spartans starter Patrick Boyle had a pair of walks and a wild throw that placed a baserunner on second. Tyler Odom singled to shallow left, scoring Lamar Anthony.

Unlike the first game, the Spartans responded immediately with three runs in the top of the fourth and never trailed again. Angel Cruz singled to shallow left, scoring Austin Rieman. Two batters later and after a pair of stolen bases from Cruz and John Hagan, Josh Miguel had a two-out single that scored two runs.

Donnie Lovelady replaced starter Boyle in the bottom of the fourth and pitched a pair of dominate innings.

Going into the bottom of the sixth, the Spartans were up 3-1. The Crusaders, behind three hits and a wild throw, scored again to cut the deficit down to one.

The Spartan offense responded in the top of the seventh with two more runs. Missouri Baptist faced three different pitchers in the inning, and generated three hits, two runs, and had three stolen bases. Culver Plant singled to shallow center, allowing Josh Miguel to score. Tim Herget scored on a stolen base during the next at bat.

The Crusaders never recovered and the Spartans cruised to a 6-3 victory to finish the series.

Lovelady picked up his second win of the season, improving his record to 2-1.

Tim Herget and Josh Miguel lead the way for the Spartan offense in game two. Herget finished two for three on the day with two runs and two walks and Miguel had three hits, two RBIs and a run as well.

The Spartans return home February 26 to start a three game series against Dakota Wesleyan University. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM.