ST. LOUIS – [GAME 1 BOX] [GAME 2 BOX] After exploding for 27 runs in two games on Friday, Missouri Baptist had more of the same in store on Saturday, after a slow start in game one. The Spartans dropped their first game of the season, 4-3, to Shawnee State (Ohio) in game one before taking No. 23-ranked William Carey (Miss.) for a ride in a 16-0 shutout of the Crusaders.

Missouri Baptist (3-1) struggled to get things going offensively against a Bears' team it had defeated 14-0 less than 24 hours earlier. Bobby Evans got the nod on the hill and things did not go as planned. The lefty had a shortened outing after allowing three earned runs on four hits in one and two-thirds innings. Anthony Cosme entered in the second to get the final out in the second and allowed one run on three hits in his two and two-thirds of an inning.

The Spartan run machine stalled until the fifth inning. Down 3-0, Missouri Baptist posted two runs as Nate Green and John Hagan singled to begin the inning. After a fly out by Angel Cruz, Aaron Pangilinan singled to left field to load the bases for Aaron Collazo. The second baseman singled home the first run of the day and made it 3-1.

Culver Plant made it 3-2 moments later on a fielder's choice, which scored Hagan. The Spartans posted one more run in the eighth and made a move to tie it in the ninth. With runners at first and second with one away, Chad Ramsey pinch hit for Pangilinan and hit a laser to short, but a 6-4-3 twin killing ended the game.

"(We) just got behind hitters in the first game," said Coach Eddie Uschold. "We got behind early and never adjusted to what the pitcher was doing to us."

Game two was an entirely different story. Against a top 25 opponent, the Spartans opened the floodgates against the No. 23-ranked William Carey Crusaders. Missouri Baptist scored three in the second, one in the fourth, five in the fifth and seven in the seventh in the lopsided win.

Angel Cruz led the team with a 3-4 game at the plate. The right fielder totaled three RBI in the game along with a double and a walk.

Aaron Collazo, Culver Plant and Drew Kitson all finished with two hits and combined for seven RBI.

Michael Syrett got the start, and his first outing as a Spartan was a memorable one. The senior right-handed hurler tossed six impressive innings and allowed just five hits while Missouri Baptist recorded seven ground outs with the Cyprus, Calif., native on the hill.

"Mike Syrett set the tone in game two by pounding the strike zone all night long," said Uschold of his starter. "He was fantastic and we just kept piling on as the game went on."

Nick Vichio entered in the seventh and finished things for the Spartans. The junior retired the side in order on nine pitches as the Spartans moved to 3-1 on the season.

Missouri Baptist will put its 3-1 record on the line in one week's time when the team travels to Dayton, Tenn., to take on Bryan College (Tenn.).