OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. - The Spartans picked up a pair of wins in day two of the NAIA SB Invitational led by stellar pitching performances from Taylor Whitehead and Brooklynn Fischer. Missouri Baptist claimed victories over No. 15 Midland and (RV) Bellevue.
In the Spartans' contest against No. 15 Midland, weather took control of the contest and made it span over the course of two days. Missouri Baptist held a 4-0 lead over the Warriors in the fourth inning when the game was delayed until the following afternoon. The Spartans scratched across one more run in the fourth inning following the postponement, and Fischer continued her dominance as she threw a complete game shutout, only allowing three hits.
Whitehead and her defense shined bright in the Spartans 3-1 win over (RV) Bellevue as she threw a complete game allowing just one run, and the defense made no errors on 13 fly balls and ground balls. Alexi Sanchez made it a two run ballgame in the third inning when she roped a single into right field, scoring Makayla Johnson and Miranda Ladson. The Spartans got their third run of the game when Natalie Archer hit a double to score Camryn Kessler.
Missouri Baptist opened day two of the invitational with a morning game against Hope International, and the Royals got on the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the second inning. The Spartans wasted no time getting even as Jacie Dees and Fischer came around to score. Missouri Baptist got one more run in the sixth, but Hope International was not done as they scored in the bottom of the seventh and the eighth to pin a 4-3 extra innings loss on the Spartans.
The Spartans went 3-1 in Oklahoma City, Okla. at the NAIA SB Invitational, bringing home wins against Arizona Christian, (RV) Bellevue, and No. 15 Midland. The only loss the Spartans suffered came in extra innings against Hope International after giving up the tying run in the seventh inning.
Missouri Baptist has picked up wins against three "receiving votes" teams this season and victories over the No. 1, 8, and 15 teams in the NAIA National Preseason Poll.
VS No. 15 Midland
Winning Pitcher: Brooklynn Fischer (3-2)
Losing Pitcher: C. Petrick (2-1)
Batting Leaders
Alexi Sanchez: 2-for-3
Brooklynn Fischer: 1-for-2, BB, R
Jacie Dees: 1-for-3, RBI, R
VS (RV) Bellevue
Winning Pitcher:Taylor Whitehead (4-0)
Losing Pitcher: E. Zoucha (2-2)
Batting Leaders
Natalie Archer: 2-for-3, RBI
Miranda Ladson: 1-for-2, R
Alexi Sanchez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
VS Hope International
Winning Pitcher:A. Galvan (1-1)
Losing Pitcher: Brooklynn Fischer (2-2)
Batting Leaders
Brooklynn Fischer: 2-for-3, RBI, R
Camryn Kessler: 2-for-4
Jacie Dees: 1-for-3, BB, R, SB
Record
Missouri Baptist: 11-3
Next Game
The Spartans will be back in action on Monday, March 3 when they take on Friends University at their place in a doubleheader.
