ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist softball ended their slump during game one of Wednesday's doubleheader, defeating the Pomeroys of Saint Mary of the Woods College (SMWC), 6-4, behind Ellie Wessel's go-ahead three-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning.
 
GAME ONE
 
After an uneventful first inning MoBap struck first when Kolby Brake crushed the pitch sending it well over the outfield wall to give MBU the 1-0 lead. Wessel got on base after being hit by the pitch and was quickly advanced to second thanks to a sac bunt by Isabella Schlemmer. Wessel than stole third base to put herself in prime scoring position and AnnaBeth Batson delivered with a single to left field to bring home the run, extending the Spartan lead to 2-0. Batson was later brought home thanks to a double off the bat of Molly McPheeter, to put the Spartans up 3-0 before the second inning would end.
 
SMWC would answer back in the top of the third with two runs of their own. Jaselyn Conn doubled down the line bringing home two runs to cut into the Spartan lead with a runner on second and third and only one out. After a pair of ground outs MBU withstood the barrage to maintain the lead. The home side failed to produce any runs in the bottom half of the third.
 
With the score set at 3-2 in MoBap's favor, Ashley Shanks got ahold of one sending the ball over the center field wall to tie the game at 3-apiece in the top of the fourth.
 
The Spartans took the lead for good during the bottom of the fifth inning as Wessel sent a fastball to the wall scoring three runs before she was thrown out trying to stretch to third.
 
The Pomeroys refused to go quietly as they again cut into the Spartan lead during the top of the sixth. An RBI ground out off the bat of Rylee Pender made the score 6-4 in favor of the Spartans. That is how the game would remain as neither team could plate any more runs, giving the Spartans their first win of the season during their home opener.
 
The Spartans registered eight hits to assist Shelby Sievers who picked up her first win of the season.  Haley Tate earned her first save after closing out the final two innings.
 
GAME TWO
 
SMWC jumped on the Spartans early during the second game of the doubleheader behind four hits and a pair of runs in the top of the first. Each team would only collect one hit each over the next few innings leaving the score at 2-0 SMWC heading into the fourth.
 
In the top of the fourth Wessel continued to cause damage on the base path. After being walked to lead off the inning, Wessel advanced to second on a bunt by Schlemmer before stealing third. Wessel scored after the pick off attempt was dropped by third baseman Ashley Shanks allowing her to trot home and cut into the lead.
 
The Pomeroys did not slow down as they made sure to add to their lead in the sixth and seventh inning, taking a commanding 8-2 lead. MoBap refused to quit, showing life in the bottom of the seventh inning with their backs against the wall. Jeannie Smith got things rolling for the Spartans after reaching base. Pitcher Summer Rocha was unable to pick up the ball cleanly allowing for Smith to get on safely before the throw could get there. Sievers would then be hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with only one out.
 
During the next at bat Kaylee Morris popped up in the infield as the Spartans hope rally hopes began to fade. Brake gave the Spartans hope again with a two run double to cut the lead down to four. With only one out to play with and the deficit at four, the Spartans comeback would fall short as the Pomeroys defeated MoBap 8-4.
 
MBU heads for warmer weather as they will play ten games in Florida over spring break starting on Mar. 14, with a matchup against University of Saint Francis (Ind.). First pitch is set for 10:00 AM.