ST. LOUIS - Missouri Baptist used dominant pitching and timely hitting to their advantage against St. Francis, claiming two wins to make it seven straight victories.

 

Game 1 Recap

Brooklynn Fischer set the tone early picking up a pair of strikeouts in the first inning, and the Spartans wasted no time on the offensive end as Makayla Johnson and Jacie Dees walked before Alexi Sanchez blasted a three-run homerun over the right field fence to put Missouri Baptist up 3-0. Camryn Kessler drove home Allison Leigraf on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0 prior to the end of the inning.

 

The Spartans manufactured a pair of runs in the third inning as Leigraf and Fischer came around to increase their lead to six runs. 

 

Fischer's dominant performance was still going as she struck out the side in the top of the fourth inning. Missouri Baptist tacked onto their lead following the stellar inning as Leigraf plated two runners with a double and came around to score, and Kessler and Jenna Achs scored as well.

 

Up 11-0, Fischer retired the Fighting Saints in order in the top of the fifth to seal the deal on a victory in the first game of two.

 

Winning Pitcher: Brooklynn Fischer (6-2)

Losing Pitcher: K. Manning (3-6)

 

Batting Leaders

Allison Leigraf: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 2B

Alexi Sanchez: 1-for-2, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

Jenna Achs: 2-for-3, RBI, R

 

Game 2 Recap

The top of the first was a fight for Taylor Whitehead as the St. Francis batters were not going down easily, but she was able to come out on top with a pair of strikeouts and no one reaching base.

 

Johnson went right to work in the bottom of the first as she roped the first pitch she saw down the right field line for a leadoff triple. Sanchez was able to bring her home, giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead early in the game.

 

It took Missouri Baptist a much longer time to get back on the scoreboard than in game one, but Whitehead and the defense held the Fighting Saints scoreless throughout the game.

 

Miranda Ladson hit a shot down the left field line in the fifth inning that went over the fence in a hurry for a two-run homerun with Kessler on base. Dees came around to score later in the inning off a single from Fischer, increasing their lead to 4-0.

 

That would be all they needed offensively as Whitehead retired the sides in order every inning since the fourth inning, picking up another win on the day.

 

Winning Pitcher: Taylor Whitehead (7-0)

Losing Pitcher: E. Boyle (2-5)

 

Batting Leaders:

Miranda Ladson: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R

Brooklynn Fischer: 2-for-3, RBI

Alexi Sanchez: 1-for-3, RBI

Makayla Johnson: 1-for-3, R, 3B

 

Whitehead and Fischer were incredible for the Spartans throughout the week, 29 combined innings, 35 strikeouts, and just four earned runs.

 

Johnson has done a great job setting the table for Missouri Baptist as she finds her way on base and gets into scoring position for the heart of the lineup. Fischer and Sanchez have done their jobs in the three and four spots in the lineup driving home runs with 29 RBIs. 

 

Records

Missouri Baptist: 17-3 (0-0 AMC)

St. Francis: 5-12 (0-0 CCAC)

 

Next Game

Missouri Baptist's home stand continues next Monday, March 17, at 2:00 p.m. when they host No. 8 Central Methodist in a doubleheader

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