KANSAS CITY, Mo. – MBU Baseball is 2-0 for the first time since 2017. The Spartans upset No. 16 Oklahoma City 11-2 before rallying late to defeat York (Neb.) 2-1 on day one of the Rube Foster Classic. The two-day, 10-team tournament is being held at the Royals Urban Youth Academy in Kansas City across the street from the Negro League Hall of Fame.
 
GAME ONE
The Spartan bats came out hot in the opener against Oklahoma City. In the bottom of the first, back-to-back doubles by Treyton Steffler and Hunter Hill tied the game at one. Later, with two outs and the bases loaded, Manny Garcia and Luis Tajia each drew walks to give MBU a 3-1 lead.
 
But that was just the tip of the iceberg for the offense. DJ Schmidt launched a double off the right-centerfield wall to plate three more and the Spartans batted around in the six-run first.
 
Masen Palmier got the start on the mound and, other than a bumpy first inning, held the Stars offense in check. The senior delivered six innings, striking out eight and allowing two earned runs. He did not walk a batter.
 
The Spartans obliterated any hope OCU had of a comeback with a five-run sixth. Again with the bases loaded, this time it was Treyton Steffler who came through with a triple to drive in three. A sac fly by Hunter Hill followed to cap the scoring at 11 runs.
 
GAME TWO
The second game of the day was more of a grind as York starting pitcher Treyton Scully was in control for the first four innings. The Spartans finally found a solution for the sophomore in the bottom of the fifth.
 
Trailing 1-0, Manny Garcia started the frame with a single into centerfield. After a ground out, a walk, and a fly out, Steffler stepped to the plate for another clutch opportunity. The senior once again did not disappoint, coming through with a base hit to right field. Garcia scored from third to tie the game.
 
In his MBU debut on the mound, Billy Heil kept the Spartans in the game while the offense tried to find its footing. The junior conceded an opening-inning run before settling in for six solid innings. He allowed just three hits, struck out five, and walked one. Matt Huss entered in the seventh and delivered a clean inning in relief.
 
The table was set for heroics in the final frame. Carter Mize pinch hit and led off with a single to right. After a single by Manny Garcia and an intentional walk to Hutch Kettler, Noah Hemphill stepped in with two outs. The sophomore delivered, lining a 2-1 pitch up the middle into centerfield for a walk off single.
 
REACTION FROM COACH USCHOLD
 
"Outstanding opening day! Masen Palmier and Billy Heil were terrific. The offense got it rolling in game one against a very good pitcher and then we found a completely different way to win game two. We're a very versatile team and we showed that today."
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
The Spartans will battle two more teams that are receiving votes in the Preseason NAIA Coaches' Poll on Tuesday. The action begins against (RV) Tabor at 2:30 pm and concludes against (RV) Concordia (Neb.) at 5 pm.