ST. LOUIS—Missouri Baptist Baseball (22-11) went offsite to Maryville University on Friday night and claimed a 10-5 victory over College of the Ozarks (16-19). In his first career start, sophomore Masen Palmier went eight strong innings to earn the win.
 
Used exclusively out the bullpen coming into Friday's start, Palmier hadn't gone more than three innings in any appearance this season. You wouldn't know it from the way the first year Spartan threw on Friday night though.
 
Palmier's only speed bump came in the third inning when the Bobcats struck for three runs. The COFO lead didn't last long, however, as the MBU offense picked up their starter with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Back to back singles from Nick Politte and Caleb Dean set the table for DeShawn Lookout with two outs. Lookout laced a double into the gap in left-center to make it 3-2. Anthony Enwiya followed with a single to tie the game.
 
The Spartans then took their first lead with Michael McGhee at the plate. McGhee obliterated a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence to give Mo. Bap a 5-3 advantage. They wouldn't look back from that point forward.
 
Missouri Baptist added to its lead with three runs in the seventh, sandwiched between a run in both the sixth and eighth innings. Dean and Lookout contributed RBI singles while the Bobcats' defense helped with two errors leading to the three-run seventh.
 
After eight innings and 11 strikeouts, Palmier gave way to the bullpen in the ninth. Manny Pizarro shut the door with two more Ks in the final frame.
 
Offensively, DeShawn Lookout lead the charge going 3-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Gabriel Castillo, Caleb Dean, and Drew Brooks each chipped in two hits apiece. Dean stole two bases and scored two runs. Castillo doubled and also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Brooks racked up his third straight multi-hit game after enduring a mini-slump at the end of March.
 
The Spartans will be back in action against the Bobcats on Saturday afternoon. The 7/9 doubleheader begins at 1 pm at the Spartan Baseball Field. Austin Worrell is expected to start game one on the mound followed by Josh Ray in game two.