DALLAS, TEXAS - The Spartans rounded out their Dallas trip with a doubleheader against No. 8 Oklahoma City University and No. 2 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, and the Spartans split the two games with a win over No. 8 and a tough loss against No. 2.

 

In game one against the Stars of Oklahoma City University, Missouri Baptist played in a hole for most of the game. OCU came out and hit a two-run homerun in the top of the first, but the Spartans quickly answered with a sacrifice fly from Alexi Sanchez that scored Makayla Johnson then Brooklynn Fischer tied it up with a solo homerun to opposite field.

 

A pair of RBI doubles from the Stars in the second made it a two run game again, and they tacked on one more run in the fourth that made it 5-2.

 

Fischer and Jacie Dees got the bats rolling in the fourth with a pair of singles, and Jenna Achs drove in Fischer to cut their deficit to two before two runners were stranded on the basepaths.

 

In the bottom of the fifth, Johnson led off for the Spartans and drew a walk. Leigraf reached base on an error that advanced Johnson to third base, and Sanchez scored Johnson with another sacrifice fly. Missouri Baptist made a little magic with two outs as Dees singled to right field, scoring Leigraf, and with runners at the corners the Spartans succeeded on a double steal that gave them a 6-5 lead with Dees coming across to score.

 

Taylor Whitehead kept OCU at bay in her five and a third innings of work, only allowing one earned run and picking up four strikeouts. Whitehead and the Spartans' defense posted a zero in the Stars' run column in the sixth inning, giving the offense a chance to get some insurance heading into the final frame, and that is just what they did. Emily Wright singled to center, Johnson singled to right, and Leigraf blasted a three-run shot over the center field fence to make it 9-5.

 

Whitehead only allowed one baserunner in the seventh inning and sealed the deal on the come-from-behind victory against No. 8 Oklahoma City University.

 

Dees went 3-4 at the plate, and Johnson, Fischer, and Achs all tallied a pair of hits. Johnson also scored a trio of times for Missouri Baptist, and Leigraf and Fischer each scored twice.

 

Whitehead went five and a third innings allowing one run on just three hits, keeping the Stars from tacking onto their lead.

 

Game two of the doubleheader was quite the pitcher's duel. Alexandria Cafolla allowed just two runs, only one earned, and Fischer kept the No. 2 Drovers scoreless.

 

Despite only allowing two runs in the contest, the Spartans only tallied one hit, from the bat of Fischer. 

 

The Spartans showcased their talent in the first week of the 2025 season as they outscored their opponents 24-10. Al. Cafolla, Whitehead, and Fischer all displayed great work, pitching in the circle. A handful of newcomers came through for the Spartans on the offensive end, and the returners were all over the basepaths throughout the week. 

 

Defensively, Missouri Baptist only committed two errors and played pretty sound defense behind their pitchers.

 

After the week, Dees leads the Spartans with a .444 batting average and Fischer is right behind her with a. 400 average. Sanchez took care of business in the heart of the Spartans' lineup tallying six RBIs, trailed by Leigraf with five.

 

The three headed monster in the circle for the Spartans all racked up 11 innings. Whitehead led the trio with 16 strikeouts and a .119 batting average against. Al. Cafolla posted a .64 ERA with a .91 WHIP in the opening week.

 

The Spartans picked up wins against Nelson University, (RV) Mid-America Christian University, Bethan College, and No. 8 Oklahoma City University, only suffering a loss in the final game against No. 2 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

 

The Spartans will continue their Texas portion of the 2025 schedule next week with a doubleheader against (RV) University of Houston Victoria on Tuesday, Feb. 11 starting at 1:00 p.m.

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