ST. LOUIS – [GAME 1 BOX] [GAME 2 BOX] The Spartans scored six runs in the first two innings to bounce back from a game one loss and split a Saturday afternoon doubleheader with the Stephens College Stars.

Missouri Baptist (13-13, 4-2) fell in a close 4-3 game in the opener, before winning the second half of the twin bill 7-2. The game two win snapped the Stars (7-19, 5-5) four-game winning streak.

Just like in Friday's win, Payton Anderson singled home Chloe Jennings in the first to give MBU an early 1-0 lead. However, the Spartans would need more than a single run in this game and they'd get it moments later. Meagan Elder doubled to advance Anderson to third and she later scored on a passed ball.

The scoring continued in the second when MBU pulled away with a 6-0 lead after scoring four times in the inning on three hits and also taking advantage of three Stars' errors. Jenny Sparks singled to start the inning and later scored off a Star miscue. Amanda Williams put the Spartans up 5-0 with an RBI single to score Pam Diaz, who singled earlier in the inning, and Jennings. The fourth and final run of the inning scored on a dropped fly ball from the Stephens right fielder.

That six-run cushion gave Cierra Liddick more than enough to work with. The righty earned her second win in as many days by allowing just two earned runs in seven innings of work. Williams added another run in the fifth when she launched a home run to start the inning. The reigning AMC player of the week finished the game 2-4 with 3 RBI's. Diaz also had a big day at the plate going 3-3.

The Spartans were unable to hold on to an early lead in the first game of the day. The Stars erased a 3-0 MBU advantage with four runs in the fifth inning.

The scoring started in the second inning when Sparks doubled home Elder with two outs to put the Spartans up 1-0. MBU tacked on two more in the third thanks to a misplayed grounder from the Stars third baseman. The miscue scored Jennings and Anderson and put the Spartans ahead 3-0.

Andrea Chessor blanked the Stars through the first four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth. Stephens scored four times on five hits to eventually take the lead. Two singles and a double put the Stars on the board and then Katie Heaton delivered the big blow, a three-run home run over the left field fence to give SC the 4-3 lead.

The Spartans would go down in order in the final two innings in the defeat. They'll return to the diamond on Tuesday, March 29 in non-conference action against Blackburn College. First pitch is set for 5:00 pm.