BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – MBU Baseball fell to Baker (Kan.) 2-1 on Saturday before taking down No. 22 MidAmerica Nazarene by the same score in the nightcap.
GAME ONE VS. BAKER (7 INN.)
The Spartans took the lead in the third inning against Baker on an RBI single by
Cesar Soto. It was MBU's first hit of the day and would go on to be one of just four in the seven-inning contest.
Billy Heil made the start on the mound and cruised through the first five innings with just two hits allowed. But Heil finally ran into trouble in the sixth. Baker's Blaine Ray doubled, and senior catcher Brian Hawkins followed with a two-run homer to left field.
In their final opportunity at bat, the Spartans threated in the top of the seventh.
DJ Schmidt and
Carter Mize each singled with one out and eventually reached second and third. Wildcats' pitcher Caden Pogue eluded the trouble, however, getting Ashanti Ross to fly out to center to end the game.
GAME TWO VS. (22) MIDAMERICA NAZARENE
The second game of the game played out similarly, but the Spartans were determined to see a different finish. It started well when
Jordan Brandenburg put MBU on top with an RBI single in the bottom of the first.
MNU tied it with a solo HR in the second but
Masen Palmier was in control from that point forward. The fourth-year starter struck out 10, allowed just four hits, and didn't walk a batter.
After Palmier set the Pioneers down in order in the top of the seventh, the offense delivered in the bottom half to reward their starter with a win.
PJ Brooks led off with a what appeared to be a routine pop up to left field. MNU's Drew Woodley lost it in the sun, however, and Brooks slid in safely to second base with a double.
With the speedy
Blane Besse pinch-running for Brooks,
Carter Mize dropped down a sacrifice bunt that advanced the winning run 90-feet away. The man who ended game one, Ashanti Ross, had another chance – and this time he delivered. Ross took a 2-2 pitch to left field for a walkoff single.
The Spartans finished game two with 10 hits – three of which came off the bat of
Tommy Patrick Jr. Patrick also scored MBU's first run. Palmier earned the win on the mound, his second of the season.
WHAT'S NEXT
Missouri Baptist and MidAmerica Nazarene will reconvene on Monday for an 11 am first pitch in Olathe, Kan. The Spartans will then play Northwestern (Iowa) at 1:30 pm.
