St. Louis - The Spartans were finally back in action after a bye week due to last Saturday's (Feb 17) games being snowed out. They were going up against Olivet Nazarene University for their home opener.
 
GAME ONE
 
It was a rocky start for MBU in game one against ONU, and things wouldn't get much better. Initially, it looked like Alexandria was going to make quick work of the Tigers, with the graduate student striking out the leadoff hitter. Things changed when the next batter won the count and made it on base with a walk. With another two hits to follow, ONU quickly loaded the bases. Al. Cafolla was able to sit down the next batter, but shortly after, a fly ball that landed between shortstop and left field would put ONU on top by two. Al. Cafolla then put a stop to the momentum the Tigers built up by striking out the next batter. MBU was unable to make up the difference in the bottom of the first, after a double play ended the inning.
 
ONU would continue to add points onto the board, up 6-0 in the top of the third, until the Spartans decided to shake things up by sending in Taylor Whitehead to pitch. The junior managed to hold the Tigers to only two points in the next couple of innings, with the rest of the team backing her up in the field. The Spartans finally made it on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Abagail Cafolla stepped up and hit a fly ball all the way out to the center-field fence, bringing in Brooklynn Fischer. With the lone run, MBU would keep ONU from run-ruling them in the fifth. The top of the sixth ONU put up five runs to bring the score 13-1 causing Jordyn Pearson to step in to the circle to put a stop to the Tigers at bat. The Spartans were unable to bring home any runs during their time at the plate. With MBU down by twelve in the sixth, the game ended an inning early.
 
GAME TWO
 
In game two of the doubleheader, it was like the Spartans flipped a switch and were a new team. While MBU may have struggled to make it on base in game one, that was not the case in game two. After a quick one-two-three in the top of the first - all three batters grounding out - MBU took their turn to secure an early two-point lead. Leigraf was up to bat and hit a fly ball into the gap between center and right to make it to second base. Fischer followed up with a line drive right over the head of the third baseman to bring in Leigraf and replace her at second. Fischer was then moved around to third by Ab. Cafolla, who was thrown out at first. After Natalie Archer made it on base with a single up the middle, Kolby Brake hit a high pop fly that landed just outside the pitcher's circle. With two outs prior to Brake's at-bat, Fischer took off on contact, scoring on the play.
 
MBU would further widen the gap in the second inning. Fischer would continue to pose a challenge for the Tigers in the circle. Another three batters would ground out, with two going into the glove of second baseman Abby Wilson and Fischer taking care of one herself. MBU would then step up to bat and bring in another four runs. Miranda Ladson made it on with a line drive out to center field. The sophomore then moved around to second when she took advantage of a passed ball. Wilson would then proceed to hit a line drive of her own out to left field to move Ladson around to third. Hager then stepped up and knocked down a well-placed bunt to not only make it to first but also give Ladson the opportunity to slide on home. Leigraf would follow that up with a walk to load the bases, just in time for Fischer to go to work. The sophomore hit a fly ball just in front of the left fielder to bring in both Wilson and Hager. The Spartans so far have put up three runs with no outs and would continue on to add another when Archer would hit a sacrifice fly out to center field to score Leigraf.
 
The third inning would go by scoreless, but MBU would be back to it in the bottom of the fourth. The Spartans sat down another three straight batters to end their time in the field. Leigraf would continue to show her prowess at the plate by winning the count for the second time in the game. Fischer would then head to the plate to hit her third double of the game, bringing in Leigraf. Despite the Tigers trying to shake things up with a pitching change, Ab. Cafolla would then move her fellow sophomore to third on a ground ball to left field. With the threat of Fischer waiting at third, Ab. Cafolla was able to easily steal second during the next at-bat. Both runners were in scoring position, biding their time for a teammate to bring them in. Two outs would go by until Jenna Achs would hit a fly ball that drops right in front of the left fielder, bringing in both runners. Achs, who made it to second, would then score herself on a ball hit to almost the same spot by Ladson. The Spartans ended the inning on top 10-0.
 
Going into the top of the fifth, all the Spartans had to do was sit down the next three batters to end the game. Unfortunately things went the opposite of how they wanted with the first three batters making it on base. ONU managed to add two runs onto the board before the Spartans were able to earn the third out, with Fisher striking out the last batter. The Spartans closed out the inning up by eight runs, thus ending the game.

While the first game may not have gone the way the Spartans would have liked, MBU really turned things around in the second to end their home opener with a split against ONU. Next up the Spartans will be taking on No. 24 Saint Xavier at home on Feb 27.