ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] After splitting the doubleheader on Friday, the Spartans defeat Harris-Stowe State in game three with a 4-2 final. Alex Hanft's strong start, backed by the offense, carried MBU to a victory in the rubber match.
 
Missouri Baptist got on the board in the first inning with help from Hornet defenders. Domonique Hernandez came home on an error by the shortstop to put MBU up 1-0. Harris-Stowe came back in the bottom of the second with a solo home run that knotted it up at one.
 
The game remained tied until the top of the sixth inning. Mason Washington led off the inning by taking a 1-0 offering over the left field wall for a home run, his fourth of the year. Roosevelt Henderson also hit a solo shot in the inning increasing the Spartan lead to 3-1.
 
Wayne Roberts scored in the top of the seventh on an error that put MBU up by three runs. Tony Montano homered in the top of the seventh for HSSU. Fortunately for the Spartans, that was the end of the comeback bid.
 
Hanft turned in another strong outing on the mound. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and five strikeouts over 6.2 innings pitched. Miguel Ruiz picked up the save after firing 2.1 shutout innings while striking out five.
 
The series win gives MBU a 15-7 AMC record and a 23-15 record overall. They sit in third place in the conference behind Lyon and Freed-Hardeman.
 
Conference play continues Friday against Park University. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Parkville, Missouri.