ST. LOUIS—[BOX SCORE] One bad inning did the Spartans in on a cold day at Spartan Field. Missouri Baptist allowed five runs in the third inning in an 8-6 win over Central Baptist (Ark.) on Friday.

Missouri Baptist (10-6, 3-1 AMC) took a 2-0 lead after a leadoff walk allowed Aaron Collazo to reach. Culver Plant doubled-home the first run to make it 1-0. Just one batter later, Plant crossed the plate on a passed ball to make it 2-0.

That was how things stood until a disastrous third inning flipped the game on its head. Spartan starting pitcher Donnie Lovelady ran into trouble in the top of the third and allowed the first four batters to reach. The Missouri Baptist hurler allowed five runs, four of which were earned, before his day ended with one out in the books in the third.

Robby Brewster stopped the bleeding as he entered with a 5-2 deficit and just one out. The right-handed pitcher struck-out both Josh Hibbard and Austin Kuchinski as he began a solid outing with five strikeouts in three and two-thirds innings pitched.

The Spartans were afforded chances down the stretch to complete a comeback bid, but left runners in scoring position in the final two innings as the Mustangs grabbed their first conference win of the season. All totaled, Missouri Baptist left eight runners stranded in the game.

Though game two was suspended due to darkness, the Spartans looked as if they had righted the ship through six and a third innings.

Mike Syrett got the nod on the hill and tossed an absolute gem. The junior went the distance until the game was suspended in the top of the seventh and recorded eight strikeouts with just one run allowed.

From the third through the sixth inning, the Spartan hurler retired the side in order and allowed just one to reach base in the process.

When the game was halted, Missouri Baptist led 6-1 in the top of the seventh with two on and one out. Overall, Aaron Collazo walked three times in both games while designated hitter Austin Rieman went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored in game two.

In the second game, the first run for both teams came from a wild pitch. With a tie game at one in the bottom of the third, Collazo's second walk of the game turned into the lead run. Austin Rieman singled to put the second baseman at third and a wild pitch allowed him to score to make it 2-1. A double steal and a botched run down for the Mustangs scored Drew Kitson later and made it 3-1.

Three unearned runs crossed the plate in the fifth after two quick outs put the Mustangs in position to have a quick inning. A walk and a throwing error changed the momentum of the inning, however, and made it first and third with two outs. A single from Rieman and a double from John Hagan put two more across the plate and gave the home team a comfortable lead as the sun set on a cold day of baseball.

Game two is set to resume on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. and the series finale will follow shortly after.