ST. LOUIS- Missouri Baptist Softball earned their highest scoring game of the season yesterday (April 13), against Harris-Stowe State University. The Spartans put up 30 runs in the 10 innings they played against the Hornets.

GAME ONE
In the first two innings against HSSU, the Spartans were making contact but couldn't make it through the Hornets defense. Allison Leigraf started the top of the third off with a hit to the third baseman who fumbled it and was unable to make the play. Ellie Wessel was able to take advantage of that with a double out to left center. moving Leigraf and herself into scoring position. With Meghan Hager making it onto first with an error by the pitcher, the bases were loaded. The first run of the game came when Shelby Sievers was hit by a pitch on the next at bat, and Leigraf scored. Molly McPheeters then stepped up and hit a single, bringing in Wessel. Natalie Archer followed up with a sacrifice fly out to right field to score Hager. Next, Kolby Brake went up to bat and hit a double, earning the RBI with Sievers scoring. The inning ended with the Spartans gaining the lead 4-0.

In the top of the fourth, Wessel made it on via walk and was then able to advance to second on a wild pitch. Hager succeeded in making it to first on a bunt, moving Wessel around. Hager was able to steal second on the very first pitch of Madalyn Bone's at bat. With a wild throw by the short stop, Bone was able to make it on a wild throw by the short stop. Both Wessel and Hager were able to score on the play and Bone made it to second. Sievers was able to bat in another runner, bringing in Bone with a double to left center.  After McPheeters flied out to left field, Sievers was able to advance and make it home on an error by the left fielder. Kolby Brake added another run to the board with a double allowing Archer to score.

With a double by Wessel, a single by Hager and Bone walking, the Spartans were able to load the bases in the top of the fifth. The runners were then able to move up a base on a wild pitch. Wessel making it home brought the score 10-0. Sievers then moved the runners around with a double of her own, but Hager was caught at home for the out. The next run came when McPheeters had a hit out to right field, and both Sievers and Bone scored on the fielder's error. The game ended in the fifth with the Spartans up 12-0.  

GAME TWO
Bone got the ball rolling in the top of the first with a hit that went just over the short stop's head, making it to first. Sievers then went up for her first at bat of the game and had a hard hit that went right by the short stop. Bone was able to advance to third on the throw from left field and Sievers made it to second. McPheeters was able to bring in Bone with a hit that bounced off the pitcher but was unable to beat the throw to first. The Spartans ended the inning ahead, 1-0.

In the top of the second, the Spartans bats were on fire. Brake started it off with the first pitch of the inning, launching a home run over the left field fence. Jenna Achs followed up with a single to center field. Leigraf was able to bring in Jenna Achs with a double hit to left center. On a wild pitch that went behind the batter, Leigraf was able to capitalize on the opportunity and make it home. Hager was able to make it on to first with the second baseman fumbling the ball and Wessel was able to score on the error. On the next at bat, Bone was able to win the count and make to first on a walk. Sievers then stepped up and hit a single to bring in Wessel and advance Bone to second. McPheeters was also walked, and the bases were loaded. The Spartans earned a run as Archer was hit on the first pitch of her at bat.

Brake was back up to bat with the Spartans batting around the line up. The junior did it again, this time hitting a grand slam to bring the game 11-0. On a hit dropping in between left and center, Achs made it to third on her second at bat of the inning. Wessel hit a little dinger that landed right behind third base to bring in Achs. Sheldon Underwood came in to replace Hager in the batter's box, making it on with a walk. We saw a new batter once again with Miranda Ladson in for Bone. Ladson proceeded to hit her first collegiate home run. Not only was it a home run, but it was also a grand slam that brought the score to 16-0. Coming in to hit for McPheeters, Erica Wright made it on base with a hit that went right by the first baseman. Archer then made it on base with a single and the Spartans found themselves back around the line up once again. Brake on her third at bat of the inning hit a double to score both Wright and Archer. The inning ended with the Spartans putting up 17 runs and bringing the score 18-0.

The game ended once again in the fifth with no more runs scored by either side. The Spartans came out on top against the Hornets, adding two more conference wins to their record. With the wins over HSSU, Missouri Baptist clenched their spot in the conference tournament.

The Spartans will be facing off against Hannibal-LaGrange University next. The team will be taking a trip up the road to Hannibal to take on the Trojans at their place on Saturday, April 15.