HATTIESBURG, Miss. – No. 16 Missouri Baptist University baseball fell 11-3 at No. 9 William Carey University on Thursday evening. The Spartans made four errors in the game and could not overcome crooked numbers in the third, fourth, and fifth innings as they dropped to 2-3 through five games this season.
No. 9 William Carey Recap
Josh Alexander hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning that put the Crusaders up early.
Kai Gray doubled home a run in the top of the third to cut the lead in half and then scored from second on a wild pitch and a wild throw from the catcher to tie the game at two.
A walk and a hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the third set the stage for Tyler Ducksworth's two-RBI double that put WCU back out in front 4-2. An error brought in a third run in the frame.
Crusaders' starter Andrew Shirah worked around a leadoff single and a stolen base from
Blayne Yarger in the top of the fourth and was backed up by Alexander's leadoff home run in the bottom half. The home team added another run in the fourth and extended the lead to 11-2 in the bottom of the fifth.
MBU did not respond until the top of the ninth inning when Yarger walked with the bases loaded to bring in
James Jett. Alik Avila ended the game with a scoreless frame and a pair of strikeouts in the ninth.
Austin Szverra was notable out of the bullpen on Thursday, giving the Spartans three scoreless innings in long relief while striking out one and allowing no hits, one walk, and two hit batters.
Winning Pitcher: A. Shirah (2-0)
Losing Pitcher: Teague Robertson (0-2)
Batting Leaders
Blayne Yarger: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, 2 BB
Kai Gray: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI, R
Dominic Palma: 1-for-3, R, SB
What's Next?
The Spartans play two in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Friday, Feb. 7. They take on Campbellsville University (Ky.) at noon followed by a rematch with No. 9 William Carey University at 4 p.m.
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