ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Baptist University baseball team successfully swept AMC opponent Hannibal-LaGrange University thanks to big bats on Friday and superior pitching in Saturday's twin bill. The Spartans routed the Trojans 24-9 in a frigid Friday afternoon affair and followed it up with 4-2 and 5-1 wins on a more pleasant Saturday.
 
While MoBap (16-13, 9-3 AMC) had won each of its first three AMC series, HLGU marked the first series sweep for the Spartans this season. As teams cross the halfway point in league play, MBU is just one game behind first-place Columbia (28-5, 9-2 AMC) and locked into a three-way tie with Lyon and William Woods for second.
 
The Spartans will take a brief break from conference to take in a doubleheader at No. 20-ranked Freed-Hardeman University on Tuesday (April 12). They will travel again next weekend to Conway, Ark. for their series with Central Baptist College.
 
Game One ­– Missouri Baptist 24, Hannibal-LaGrange 9 (7 Inn.)
The Spartans scored early and often jumping out to a 20-0 lead by the end of the fourth. Hannibal stopped the bleeding in the fifth with nine runs over the next two frames.
 
With a bit of help from the windy conditions, MBU erupted for season highs in hits (17), runs (24), home runs (3), and RBI (21). From top to bottom, all nine starters contributed at least one hit.
 
Designated hitter Jordan Brandenburg launched two homers and collected five RBI on Friday afternoon to lead MBU's offensive explosion. Fellow catcher Hutch Kettler joined Brandenburg with a dinger going 2-for-2 at the plate driving in four runs.
 
Other Spartans with multi-hit performances included Tommy Patrick Jr. (2-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI), Hayden Roney (3-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI), and Ashanti Ross (2-for-2, 2 R, 1 RBI).
 
Matthew Hess got the win tossing seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.
 
Game Two – Missouri Baptist 4, Hannibal-LaGrange 2 (7 Inn.)
Jordan Brandenburg displayed his power again to get the Spartans going in Game Two. The San Carlos, Calif. senior hit a solo home run in the second to get MBU on the board and drove in one more on a sac fly the next inning to extend the lead to 4-0.
 
MBU starter Micah Diamond delivered an impressive outing on the mound allowing one hit through 6.2 innings. Just one out away from the complete-game shutout, HLGU's Shawn Hur smacked a high fly ball just over the left field fence to spoil Diamond's shutout and make it a 4-2 ballgame.
 
Spartan save leader Ryan Brown entered the game and despite walking his first batter, he sealed the deal by striking out the game-tying run at the plate – Cole Trautman. Diamond earned his fifth win of the year while Brown picked up save No. 3.
 
Game Three – Missouri Baptist 5, Hannibal-LaGrange 1 (9 Inn.)
For the third time in as many games, the Spartans scored first, this time with a pair of runs in the opening frame. Cesar Soto and Jordan Brandenburg both grounded out to the middle infield but not before driving in Blane Besse and DJ Schmidt.
 
Offensively, the Spartans didn't do much leaving 10 on base with five hits. When MBU scored three in the fifth, the bases were loaded and each of the runs came via a walk or passed ball.
 
The highlight of Game Three was the brilliant performance from starting pitcher Masen Palmier. The veteran leader sat down 12 Trojan batters, which is a new career high for the righty. Yielding five hits and no earned runs, Palmier notched his fourth win and second complete game of the year.
 
Several Spartans kept their hitting streaks alive including DJ Schmidt (7), Jordan Brandenburg (5), Blane Besse (4), Hayden Roney (4), and Ashanti Ross (3).