ST. LOUIS – [GAME 1 BOX] [GAME 2 BOX] After dominating game one against Saint Xavier (Ill.) with strong at-bats, Missouri Baptist struggled to carry that momentum into game two against Clarke (Iowa), the Spartans worked hard to try and keep the Cougars off of the bases. Missouri Baptist took game one 9-3 in the morning session, but fell quiet to the Crusaders 6-1. 

Missouri Baptist (7-5) wasted no time getting to work in game one, handing Saint Xavier the loss early in the game. The Spartans did most of the damage in the first inning scoring 5 of their 9 runs, the Cougars were unable to answer back.

Missouri Baptist first runs of the day came from Brandon Schlichtig, who set the tone for the game. It was in the first inning with bases loaded when the senior from St. Louis, MO., sent a grand-slam over the fence.

Patrick Boyle started on the mound for the Spartans and tossed five solid innings. The senior from Farmersville, Ohio received the win for the game and allowed only four hits while striking out five Cougars. Brett Mann and Brandon Nunn both made an appearance in relieving the game.

In game two, Dillon Harp got things started for the Spartans in the second inning hitting a line drive to right field allowing teammate John Hagan to score the Spartans only run for the game. The designated hitter from Flower Mound, Texas went 1-1 for the day.

The Crusaders were able to push six runs across the plate by inning six leaving the Spartans fighting back for the remainder of the game. Crusaders pitcher Michael Lopez kept the Spartans off balanced for five innings allowing five hits and recorded four strikeouts in the game.

Missouri Baptist's Aaron Pangilinan started for the Spartans and put in three innings of work. In that time, the senior from Calif. gave up five hits, walked two batters and struck out one. Bryan Morales, Nick Vichio, and Brandon Nunn all threw in relief as the Spartans attempted to get back in the game.

Missouri Baptist will play their first conference games of the 2017 season against Williams Baptist College (Ark.) Feb. 24 at noon.