ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE 1] [BOX SCORE 2] The Spartans opened the 2017 season against NCAA DII Christian Brothers University Friday afternoon. CBU held Missouri Baptist scoreless throughout, with MBU falling 3-0, 1-0.  

MBU (0-2) struggled to string together hits in game one against CBU righty Jenna Cotter. Cotter allowed just three hits in the complete game shutout.

Spartan starter Andrea Chessor went toe-to-toe with her counterpart until the fourth inning. After a leadoff single, a throwing error from MBU allowed the leadoff runner to score all the way from first. The Spartans trailed 1-0 heading into the fifth.

The first two batters singled for the Bucs to start the next inning. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position with one out. An ensuing wild pitch brought both runners home to extend the Bucs lead to 3-0.

MBU had two runners aboard in the sixth, but couldn't bring them around. Chessor, Shelby Poropat and Jordan Corby all picked up hits in the loss. Chessor tossed seven total innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits.

A pair of errors cost Missouri Baptist at the start of game two. An error in right field caused the leadoff batter, Maddi Welch to reach. Welch then stole second and later scored on a throwing error by the catcher.

The run proved to be all the Bucs would need. Chessor and Kayla Thoron recorded hits in the game, but couldn't come around to tie it. Delissa Dennison pitched extremely well in her Spartan debut, allowing no earned runs on four hits in seven innings of work.

The Spartans will look for their first win of 2017 tomorrow against Bethel University. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1:00 pm.