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Box Score 2 ST. LOUIS—[GAME 1 BOX] [GAME 2 BOX] A rain delay tried to damper the spirits of Missouri Baptist on Thursday. After an hour and a half break and a disappointing 4-2 loss to William Woods (Mo.) in game one, the team rebounded. The Spartans scored twice in the top of the 10th and took the final game of the day against the Owls 5-3 in Fulton, Mo.
Missouri Baptist (12-8, 5-3 AMC) was looking to right the ship after an unexpected 1-2 weekend at home against Central Baptist (Ark.) and was able to salvage the day after a difficult start in the second inning of game one.
The Spartans posted two runs in the top of the first to take an early 2-0 lead, thanks in large part to leadoff man Aaron Collazo. The senior singled and stole second to put a runner in scoring position with just one out in the game. A fly out from Culver Plant advanced him to third before center fielder Drew Kitson's RBI groundout to short plated the run and made it 1-0.
Missouri Baptist designated hitter Austin Rieman crossed the plate moments later and gave the visitors what ended as their final lead of the day. The Cincinnati native walked, advanced to third on a Chad Ramsey single, and scored on a double steal before the top of the first concluded.
The bottom of the second, however, was one that left many scratching their heads as the Owls gained control of the game.
Spartan starter Donnie Lovelady got into an early jam, and thanks to two walks and a single, loaded the bases for what became a controversial inning.
With the bases jammed, the firs of two balks were called on Lovelady, which scored Ryan Phillips, and made it a 2-1 game. Glen Desbouillons then stepped to the plate and delivered a key two RB double down the left field line, to give William Woods the lead for good.
Lovelady was called for another balk in the inning, which accounted for the second run scored on the rare illegal pitching move.
Game two went the other way as a pitcher's duel ensued and Mike Syrett was on his game. The Spartan starter went seven and a third innings and recorded eight strikeouts after allowing just two earned runs.
Syrett, however, got the no-decision in the game as he left with a 2-2 score on the board. Brandon Nunn got the win after allowing no hits and striking out three in one and two-thirds innings.
"Syrett really stepped up again on the mound," said coach Eddie Uschold. "He gave us a chance and we found a way to tie it up."
The Spartans did the majority of their damage on the base path in the second game. As a team, Missouri Baptist stole seven bases in the game.
Missouri Baptist took advantage of an error to lead-off the 10th inning as Kyle Keck pinch hit for Miles Fore. Keck reached on an error by the William Woods' shortstop Desbouillons, one in which cost the home team the game.
A second error in the top of the 10th, this one by third baseman Jansen Smith, placed Keck at third with just one out.
Culver Plant, after reaching on the second error of the inning, stole second to take the double play out of order, which forced the Owl's hands with one out. William Woods intentionally walked Drew Kitson to put the double play opportunity back on the table, but Rieman came through with the biggest hit of the day for the Spartans. The designated hitter hit a single to shallow right, which scored two, and put the visitors up for good.
Nick Vichio entered in the bottom of the 10th and shut the door. The former Saint Louis University Billiken recorded two strikeouts to earn his third save of the season.
"The guys really battled through a very poor offensive day at the plate," said Uschold. "We battled at the plate and took advantage of opportunities when we got people on base."
Overall in the game, Rieman led the team after going 2-5 with three RBI. Kitson also fiished with a two hit day while Plant scored twice with two RBI.
The Spartans will have an opportunity to take the series on Friday in the rubber game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. in Fulton, Mo. The free live stream of the game can be found at www.spartandigitalnetwork.com.
