ST. LOUIS – [GAME ONE] [GAME TWO] Rain did not stand in the way of two Spartan victories on Tuesday. MBU took both games of the doubleheader at GCS Ballpark by the final scores 6-4 and 13-3.
 
Missouri Baptist baseball started the game off fast with three early runs in the bottom of the first inning. Drew Brooks and Domonique Hernandez singled to start off the rally. Two fielding errors and a Tyler Schmidt single gave MBU a 3-0 after the first inning.
 
Starter Alex Hanft began the game strong, silencing opponent bats early on. A throwing error gave the Trojans their first run of the game in the top of the third.
 
In the bottom of the third, the Spartans scored their fourth when Gabriel Castillo stole home while the pitcher had his back turned. In the fourth, Mason Washington came around to score on a throwing error that put the Spartans up 5-1.
 
One half inning later, the Trojans plated two more runs on a throwing error. Missouri Baptist answered that in the sixth with an RBI double from Hernandez. Hannibal-LaGrange attempted to come back in the final frame but fell short losing 6-4.
 
Hanft threw five strong innings allowing three runs (zero earned) and striking out eight. Brian Morales and Caleb Dean finished things off in the final two innings.
 
Game two started off much slower, due in large part to Matt Huss who was dealing. Huss set the Trojans down in order in the first three innings. He did not allow a run until a triple and a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth put Hannibal on the board.
 
The Spartan offense also struggled early on but brought home a runner in the bottom of the third with a Hernandez sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the fourth, MBU took the lead on Brooks' RBI double to right field.
 
Things got rather ugly for the Trojans in the bottom of the fifth. Roosevelt Henderson, Dillon Harp, Wayne Roberts, Domonique Hernandez, Mason Washington, and Gabriel Castillo all had RBIs during the seven-run explosion. After five the Spartans led 10-2.
 
The game ended early due to the mercy rule. MBU defeated Hannibal-LaGrange 13-3 in a shortened seven inning game.
 
The top of the order had a huge game for Missouri Baptist, combining for eight RBIs in game two. Huss finished the day with five innings pitched, two runs surrendered and five strikeouts.
 
The conference wins give the Spartans an 11-5 AMC record which is good for second place. Their overall 2018 record sits at 19-13.
 
MBU continues AMC play against the Lynx of Lindenwood-Belleville this Friday at Spartan Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.