SAUGET, Ill. – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist made a statement on the first pitch of the game against Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) on Friday. Tim Hergert hit a ball over the left field wall to give the Spartans the lead and the visitors never trailed in a 6-2 win at GCS Ballpark.

Missouri Baptist (22-6, 9-1 AMC) took care of business beginning in the first inning thanks to Hergert and the swift base running of Josh Miguel. The second baseman swiped two consecutive bags and scored on a ground out to third by Angel Cruz, and MBU extended its lead 2-0.

Missouri Baptist made it 3-0 in the second as Hergert grabbed his second RBI. With Mike Levar and Brandon Schlictig at second and third, the Spartan shortstop lined a single to right and made it a 3-0 game.

Lindenwood-Belleville got one back in the bottom of the third. Right fielder Chuck Terron hit his first home run of the year, a solo shot over the short porch in right, and cut the deficit to 3-1.

Donnie Lovelady got the start on the hill for Missouri Baptist and picked-up his sixth win of the season. The junior went six full innings and allowed one run on seven hits. The Lynx left 12 runners on base in the game.

Keven Long entered in the seventh and helped the Spartan cause out of the bullpen for just the second time this season. Long tossed three innings and preserved the win as Missouri Baptist improved to 9-1 in American Midwest Conference play.

Hergert finished the day 3-4 with three RBI and a home run. Mike Levar was also solid at the plate. The junior got the start at third base on Friday and went 2-3 with two runs scored.

Chuck Terron led Lindenwood-Belleville. The junior went 4-5 with a double and a home run. The right fielder was the lone batter in the Lynx order to record a multi-hit day.

Missouri Baptist was dominant, once again, on the base path. The Spartans stole seven bases in 11 attempts in the game.

The Spartans will have two opportunities to wrap-up the series against the Lynx on Saturday. First pitch in game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Jared Crescentini and Pat Boyle are the expected starters.