ST. LOUIS—[BOX GAME 1] [BOX GAME 2] MBU Softball faced their toughest test of the season on Monday afternoon in NAIA No. 15 Columbia (22-9, 15-1 AMC). The AMC's first place team swept the Spartans in two six inning games.

MBU fell behind 3-0 in the first inning of game one and could never string together the necessary hits to come back. Spartan starting pitcher Baleigh Koester surrendered a home run in the opening frame but then settled in and contained the Cougars for the next three innings. Columbia finally broke out in the fifth with back to back homers and two more runs in the sixth which ended the game early on the eight after five rule.

The offense didn't fare much better in game two but solid pitching once again kept Missouri Baptist in the game. Delissa Dennison started and allowed one run on four hits in the first five innings. The
Spartans finally scored their first run of the day on a solo shot from Jordan Corby in the fifth.

Dennison continued make pitches in the sixth but was let down by less than stellar defense behind her. The Spartans had opportunities to shorten the inning but three errors contributed to four Columbia runs. After a few singles and a walk, the Cougars' Natalie Dummitt launched a grand slam to left center. Seemingly in a flash, the game was over at 9-1, once again due to the eight after five rule.

Missouri Baptist is now 26-13 overall and 10-6 in the AMC. They'll face Harris-Stowe at home on Tuesday in a doubleheader beginning at 3 pm.