ST. LOUIS – [GAME ONE] [GAME TWO] The Spartans took the first two games of the Clay Pfeiffer Memorial Tournament on Friday afternoon. Missouri Baptist defeated College of the Ozarks 4-3 in game one and Huntington University 8-3 in game two.
 
Pitching had the upper hand early until Chad Reusch singled home two runs in the top of the third inning. The Spartans were held scoreless in the bottom half of the inning and trailed 2-0 after three.
 
The offense did eventually come alive against undefeated Collan Thrasher in the bottom of the fourth inning. A single and an error set the stage for Jonathon Pasillas, who singled home Tyler Schmidt. Back to back RBI singles from Wayne Roberts and John Hagan brought home two more runs, giving MBU a 3-2 lead. One more came home in the inning on Tommy Nawa's sacrifice fly to right field.
 
The four-run fourth inning was all starting pitcher Robby Brewster needed. Brewster went on to throw a complete game in the 4-3 final. He allowed three runs, four hits, one walk and struck out four Bobcats.
 
Brewster has been an anchor for this pitching staff early in the season. He now boasts a 2-0 record and a 3.25 ERA in 2018.
 
Game two had a much different pace than the first one. Missouri Baptist got off to a quick start in the first on Schmidt's RBI single through the left side that plated Gabriel Castillo. Schmidt's seventh RBI of the year gave MBU a 1-0 lead after one frame.
 
The Foresters struck back in the top of the third. A single from Daniel Lichty and a fielder's choice brought home two runs off Miguel Ruiz.
 
The Spartans answered in the bottom half with two runs of their own. General McArthur led off with a double. Drew Brooks followed that up with some power of his own, blasting a two-run home run down the right field line. The home run was Brooks' third of the year.
 
Huntington wasted little time in tying the game up. Tyler Zimske doubled to right-center field, bringing home the Foresters' third run of the game. The score was 3-3 after four innings.
 
The tie did not hold up for long. In the bottom of the fifth the Spartans put up five runs on RBIs from Castillo, Washington, Roberts, and Hagan. Castillo doubled to center field, Washington brought home a run on a fielder's choice, Roberts drove in a pair with a single, and Hagan plated the last with a sacrifice fly.
 
The bullpen took the run support from the offense and promptly slammed the door on Huntington. Missouri Baptist went on to win their 10^th game of the season by an 8-3 final score.
 
Miguel Ruiz got the win throwing five innings only allowing three runs on six hits. Gary Watkins and Caleb Dean both threw scoreless innings in the final two frames.
 
The Spartans will take on Huntington and College of the Ozarks on Saturday in another doubleheader. The games are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Spartan Field.