Henderson, Tenn.- Missouri Baptist University Softball traveled down to Tennessee to take on 14 ranked, Freed-Hardeman University. In a similar fashion to their last matchup, the Spartans took the Tigers to extra innings where they unfortunately lost, 6-5. The next game ended with FHU winning, 7-2.
 
GAME ONE
After a few scoreless innings, the Spartans got things going in the top of the third. After Natalie Archer made it on base with a walk and made it around to second on a single by Kolby Brake. The batters moved up a base as Meghan Hager was able to watch four balls go by. Allison Leigraf stepped up and was able to hit a single to the short stop, scoring Archer. Freed-Hardeman was able to even things out in the bottom of the sixth. Both teams closed out regular innings with no additional runs.

In the eighth inning, the Spartans added another two runs to the board. With Archer placed on second base to start the inning. Kolby Brake led off for the Spartans and hit a double to right center, bringing in Archer. Jenna Achs who was pinch running for Brake, made it on a muffed throw by their second base. Freed-Hardeman added a couple runs in the eighth as well to send it into the ninth.
The Spartans were looking good in the ninth, putting up another two runs to get ahead. With Madalyn Bone on second base to start the inning, Shelby Sievers had a single to the left center to bring her in. Molly McPheeters was able to add to that, scoring on a single up the middle by Hager. The Tigers were able to score three runs in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win, 6-5.
 
GAME TWO
In game two Madalyn Bone started it off for the Spartans with a single up the middle. Bone then moved around to third on a double to right center by Sievers. With both runners in scoring position, McPheeters hit a ground ball to the second baseman to bring in Bone. The Spartans added to that in the top of the third. With the bases loaded, Sievers watched four balls go by to earn an RBI on the walk. The Tigers made a comeback and then some in the bottom of the third, bringing the score 4-2. In the fourth, FHU added another 3 to further their lead. No more runs were scored by either side the rest of the game and Freed-Hardeman was able to earn their second win.  

The hits were there for the Spartans, earning nine over the course of the game and earning a .367 batting average. MBU was unable to bring in the runners, leaving 11 total on base. The Tigers were outhitting the Spartans, earning 12 on the game.  

The regular season will come to a close this Saturday (April 29) against Avila University at noon. As it is the last home game of the season, Spartan seniors will be honored before the start of game one.