ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Park University used a five-run second inning to jump out front and eventually beat Missouri Baptist 9-2 Friday afternoon in game one of first round play in the AMC Tournament. Heavy rain suspended game two in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Spartans leading 3-2. It will resume tomorrow at a time to be determined.

The top-seeded Pirates got to MBU's ace Andrea Chessor for five runs on four hits in the second. All five runs scored with two outs. Justice Scales started the two-out rally with a single to load the bases and a walk then put Park ahead 1-0. Britanee Willard followed with a big bases-clearing triple to add three more runs before Brooke Kunkel brought her home with an RBI single to help the Pirates lead 5-0.

MBU had a nice response in the next half inning. Sarah Strothkamp singled with one out and advanced to second after Shelby Poropat grounded out to third. After a walk to Pam Diaz, Sierra Thompson delivered a two-out single to score Strothkamp and get MBU on the board. Amanda Williams kept the rally going and made it 5-2 when she singled to score Diaz.

Unfortunately, Park got both runs back in the bottom of the third and the Spartan offense never could replicate its third-inning success. Three straight hits started the inning for Park to add a run and Scales added another when she delivered another hit.

The Pirates also added runs in the next two innings to lead 9-2, the eventual final. Scotlin Hurley tossed seven innings of five-hit ball to pick up the win. Strothkamp led the Spartans offensively with a 2-2 performance at the plate.

The best of three series will continue tomorrow at a time TBD. The Spartans, the home team in game two, were leading 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth when rain suspended play.