Box Score ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] [AMC TOURNAMENT CENTRAL] The Spartans jumped-out to an early lead over Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) and tagged the Lynx for 10 runs in a 10-3 win in the first round of the American Midwest Conference Tournament. With the win, Missouri Baptist will advance to the second round of the winners bracket and will face the winner of Park (Mo.) and Lyon (Ark), set to play on Wednesday evening.
Missouri Baptist (40-11) earned its 40th win of the season in the victory as the team tagged Lindenwood-Belleville ace Michael Sabatino for 15 hits and five earned runs over the course of six and two-thirds innings.
The Spartans got their offense going in the first as the first five batters reached base. Tim Hergert singled to lead things off as Culver Plant followed with a single of his own. Brian Poupore, in his usual No. 3-slot in the order, looped a double into the gap in left-center field, which scored the game's first two runs. Angel Cruz followed with an RBI single and the visitors on the scoreboard quickly made it a 3-0 lead.
The game went scoreless for the next three innings when the Spartans extended their lead in the fifth. Poupore and Cruz went back-to-back with doubles with one out before the Missouri Baptist cleanup hitter took matters into his own hands.
With one away, standing on second, Cruz stole third and scored on a throwing error by Lindenwood-Belleville catcher Jesus Alvarez to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Lynx got two back in the bottom of the fifth. Cory Lubinski got his team on the board for the first time with an RBI ground out to make it 5-1. Lindenwood-Belleville plated another as center fielder Ethan Ruff recorded the sacrifice fly, which scored Pete Colclasure, and made it a 5-2 game. This, however, was as close as the Lynx got.
The Spartans tacked-on five more runs in the final three innings to grab its first postseason win of 2016.
Brian Poupore led the team with four hits on the day. The senior went 4-5 with three runs scored and two RBI. Angel Cruz led the Spartans with three RBI on the day after a 3-5 day at the dish. Second baseman Josh Miguel also had a nice outing. The junior finished 3-4 with one run scored, batting in the nine-hole.
Missouri Baptist posted 18 total hits in the game, and gave its starting pitcher, Jared Crescentini, some breathing room.
Crescentini, the junior, tossed five and two-thirds innings and allowed just two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts to his credit. Today's win improved his record to 8-1 on the year.
The Spartans will now advance to the second round of the AMC Baseball Championship Tournament to face the winner of Park and Lyon. Game time for the next round will be 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.
