ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University Baseball is hitting its stride as the team readies for its final series and the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Tournament next week. The Spartans defeated non-conference foes Bethel University (Tenn.) and Baptist Bible College (Mo.) on Tuesday and Wednesday, 5-3 and 13-8.
 
The top storyline coming out of the midweek wins was Jordan Brandenburg – reigning AMC Player of the Week and Spartan Athlete of the Week – hitting for the cycle against Baptist Bible on Wednesday. Brandenburg became just the second player in program history to accomplish the rare feat.
 
The winners of their last four, the Spartans, are back above .500, sitting at 21-20 overall. With storms in the forecast this weekend, the Harris-Stowe State series has been moved up to a twin bill on Thursday at 11:00 AM & 1:30 PM and Friday at 1:00 PM.
 
Missouri Baptist 5, Bethel (Tenn.) 3 (9 Inn.)
The first two innings provided the most action in the relatively low-scoring affair. In the top half of the first, Spartan starting pitcher Billy Heil masterfully pitched his way out of a sticky situation. With runners on second and third and no outs, the senior retired the next three batters, including back-to-back Ks and a fly out to get out of the jam.
 
In the bottom half of the inning, Missouri Baptist got on the board with a little bit of skill and a little bit of luck. Cesar Soto doubled down the right-field line to get into scoring position, moved over to third on a Bethel error, and crossed home plate moments before Brandenburg was thrown out on a double steal attempt.
 
Bethel pushed the envelope again in the second and was successful in attempt No. 2. With two on base, Jose Olmeda homered to give the Wildcats a 3-1 lead. However, the Spartans answered in the bottom of the frame with an Alex Adams solo bomb down the left-field line and an RBI single from Ashanti Ross to tie the game at three apiece.
 
Billy Heil struck out five more before turning the game over to the bullpen. The lefty finished the outing with a no-decision, but seven Ks in four innings pitched. Missouri Baptist held Bethel scoreless the rest of the way, scattering just three hits across the next five innings.
 
Left fielder Blane Besse delivered the game-winner in the bottom of the 7^th with a two-out, two-run homer. The home run was only MBU's fourth hit of the game.
 
Missouri Baptist 13, Baptist Bible 8 (9 Inn.)
On Wednesday, MoBap did most of its damage in the earlygoing starting off with a 3-run blast from Jordan Brandenburg in the first. The Patriots cut into the Spartans' lead twice on errors, but only got within two.
 
In the bottom of the third, MBU methodically batted through the order scoring five runs on five hits and three base on balls. With a comfortable 10-2 advantage, several non-starters for the Spartans were inserted into the lineup. Caleb Garza, Daniel Ramirez, and PJ Brooks each registered a hit with the latter two scoring a run in the win.
 
Sitting at 3-of-4 for the day with a home run, single, fly out, and double, Brandenburg smacked a triple to left center to lead off the bottom of the 8^th to join Mark Hanock (vs. SIU Edwardsville, 4/1/97) – the only other Spartan to successfully hit for the cycle. Amazingly, the senior was not far off from hitting for the cycle in last weekend's series vs. Columbia coming up just a triple shy in Game Two. Brandenburg finished the game with two runs and three RBI.
 
On the mound, starting pitcher Aaron Jonas was credited with his second win of the season and was spelled by seven other Spartans who pitched an inning apiece including Hunter Nelson, Austin Szverra, Simon Desnoyer, Tyler Worrell, Francisco Urena, Ryan Turner, and Donovan Shanks.