ST. LOUIS – [GAME 1 BOX] [GAME 2 BOX] After an impressive shutout in game one against Saint Xavier (Ill.), Missouri Baptist struggled to keep a sound-hitting Clarke (Iowa) team off the scoreboard. Missouri Baptist took its game against the Cougars 4-0 in the morning session, but fell short of a comeback in a 7-5 loss to the Crusaders.

Missouri Baptist (6-4) looked good in game one and handed Saint Xavier a loss in its first game of 2017. The Spartans posted three of its four runs in the first three innings and was able to keep the Cougars off the board.

Donnie Lovelady got the start for the Spartans and went two solid innings and allowed just one hit with three strikeouts. Robby Brewster came into the game in the third and received the win after an impressive effort, however. The junior from Las Vegas, Nev., allowed just one hit in his outing to preserve the win.

Missouri Baptist first two runs of the day came courtesy the long ball. Drew Kitson went yard with two away in the bottom of the first and posted the first run of the season at home for the Spartans. John Hagan followed with a home run in the second, his team-leading third of the season, and put the Spartans up 2-0.

The Spartans were fighting from behind for the entirety of game two as starting pitcher Anthony Ruden went the distance. The senior from Dubuque, Iowa allowed five runs and recorded six strikeouts as he made the pitches when they counted.

Clarke led for the entirety and weathered two pushes by the Spartans, including a three-run second inning. In that frame, Missouri Baptist did the majority of their damage with two outs as the team recorded three doubles in the inning to cut the Crusader lead to 4-3. That, however, was as close as the home team got.

Kyle Keck had a big day at the plate in game two. The senior from Iowa went 3-3 as the starting left fielder.

Missouri Baptist's Mike Syrett saw his share of struggles on the mound for the first time in 2017. The senior from California allowed four runs, three earned, as he dropped to 2-1 on the season. Bobby Evans, Malik Jones and Nick Hynes all threw in relief as the Spartans attempted to get back into the game.

Missouri Baptist will finish the Clay Pfeiffer Memorial Tournament on Saturday as it will play the first and third games to finish play tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled against Saint Xavier for 10:00 a.m.