ST. LOUIS – [GAME ONE] [GAME TWO] Coming in to Friday winning 11 of their last 12, the Spartans lost both games of a doubleheader against the Mustangs. The offense got off to a slow start in a 4-2 defeat in game one and fell just short in the 8-5 game two loss.
 
Game one did not begin well for Missouri Baptist. After being set down in order in the top half of the first, Central Baptist struck for three runs in the bottom half against starter Robby Brewster. A two-run shot from Brett Luna gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead. A throwing error brought home one more.
 
MBU bats responded quickly in the next frame awith a couple of runs. Jonathon Pasillas plated John Hagan with an RBI double down the left field line that put the Spartans on the board. Gabriel Castillo followed that up with an RBI single that scored Pasillas. Central Baptist led 3-2 after two innings.
 
Despite strong pitching, Missouri Baptist was not able to overcome the deficit. The Mustangs defeated MBU 4-2 behind Ben Madison's complete game. "We were not prepared to play today. Ben Madison was outstanding. We just could not get nothing going the first game," said Coach Eddie Uschold.
 
Brewster went five innings only giving up three runs and striking out four. Pasillas was the bright spot in the offense as he tallied two hits and an RBI.
 
Central Baptist threw the first punch in game two. In the bottom of the second L'Donta Howard singled home a run to give his team an early lead once again.
 
MBU answered that run with four runs in the top of the third. Wayne Roberts took a 1-1 offering from Jose Delmar deep to center field for a three-run home run, his first of the season. Mason Washington made it back-to-back home runs with a solo shot to right field.
 
The Mustangs came back to score one in the bottom half of the third, four in the fourth, and one more in the sixth. The Spartans were held quiet until the top of the seventh when a wild pitch brought home Miles Fore.
 
After putting up another run in the eighth, Central Baptist closed the door on MBU with an 8-5 final. "We had our chances in game two. Took a 4-1 lead. Gave five runs back in the next six outs," said Uschold.

The losses give Missouri Baptist baseball an 8-5 record in the AMC and a 16-13 overall 2018 record.
 
The Spartans return to the field tomorrow afternoon to finish up the series against the Mustangs in Conway, Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.