Oklahoma City, Okla.- Over the weekend (Feb. 17-18), the Spartans faced off against some tough competition, including two top ranked opponents in the NAIA. In a series of games hosted by No. 1 ranked Oklahoma City University, the Spartans went 2-2, with a major upset over the hosts.

GAME ONE
Missouri Baptist faced off against Mid-America Christian in their first match up. Things got kicked off in the second inning with a sacrifice bunt by Allison Leigraf. With both Kolby Brake and Natalie Archer in scoring position Ellie Wessel stepped up to the plate. She smacked a sacrifice line drive to right field, bringing in Archer. This would put the Spartans in the lead 1-0 till the bottom of the fourth. With a double to the right field, the Evangels brought the score 1-1. With a couple hard fought innings on both sides, the game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth with a double by MACU bringing the score 1-2. With the end of the game came Alexandria Cafolla's first loss of the season.

GAME TWO
The Spartans started off slow against reigning NAIA national champs, Oklahoma City. In the beginning most innings were 1 2 3 for the Spartans, with Madalyn Bone being the lone Spartan to make it on base in the first three innings. MBU picked it up in the fourth with a single from Bone and a walk by Leigraf but remain behind 0-1.

The top of the sixth marked the start of the Spartans comeback. Bone was once again on base as the pitcher posed no problem for the graduate student. On second with a double to left field the De Soto, Mo. native made it to third with a fielding error from right field. Archer hit a double through the right side earning an RBI with Bone scoring. With the score now 1-2 OCU, the Spartans began chipping away at the Stars. With one down in the top of the seventh, Molly McPheeters stepped up to the plate. With a homer right over left field, the junior tied the game 2-2. Defense came in clutch in the bottom of the seventh, holding off OCU from securing the win. With the game on the line, the teams head into the eighth inning. Sievers made it on base via an error by short stop and Sheldon Underwood came into pinch run. Underwood proceeded to steal second, now in scoring position. Archer stepped up with a double bringing in Underwood and the Spartans took the lead 3-2. In the bottom of the eight, Spartans tidied things up with a ground out to second. Securing the major upset against OCU, 3-2. This is the second ranked opponent the Spartans have defeated this season.

GAME THREE
The Spartans got things started early in their revenge game against MACU. In the first inning MBU scored two runs, one of which was a double by Sievers bringing in Bone. The other was on an error by the opposing shortstop with Sievers making it home herself. The Spartans carried that momentum into the second inning. Meghan Hager launched it over the left field fence for a two-run home run, her first with the Spartans. The next run came in the top of the fourth after Sievers hit a single to right  field bringing in Hager. MBU wrapped the game up nicely in the top of the seventh with a single to left by Brake and Allison Leigraf scored. It was then one two three outs in the bottom of the seventh for the Spartans to win it, 6-0.

GAME FOUR
In their last game of the series, MBU softball took on (3) University of Science and Arts, Oklahoma. The game against the Drovers did not go as well as the one against the other top ranked opponent that weekend. With the opponent taking the early lead in the first inning, 0-3, the Spartans were looking to make their comeback. USAO only widen the gap in the bottom of the second, making the lead 0-8. In the top of the third with the bases loaded, Sievers hit a grand slam bringing the score 4-8. While the game would no longer be a shut-out the Spartans were ultimately run ruled in the sixth, losing 4-12.

The Spartans will be once again on the road next weekend heading to Kentucky to face off against Lindsey Wilson College on Friday (Feb. 24) and Campbellsville University on Saturday (Feb. 25).