ST. LOUIS – No. 23 Missouri Baptist University baseball surrendered six runs in the top of the eighth inning to give (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene University a come-from-behind victory on Tuesday afternoon. The loss drops the Spartans to 20-9 overall.
 
Recap
Leading 12-8 heading into the eighth inning, Missouri Baptist surrendered six runs including a grand slam that ultimately sunk the Spartans in a non-conference midweek matchup. The offense put up 12 runs on 16 hits and four home runs, but MidAmerica Nazarene got the better of the MBU bullpen in the late innings to pick up a comeback victory.
 
MNU opened the scoring in the first inning with three runs after leading off the inning with a double and a pair of walks. The Spartans answered immediately with doubles from Dominic Palma and Blayne Yarger, a two-run home run from James Jett, a solo blast from Jayden Orozco, and an RBI single from Lucas Lefebvre.
 
Trailing 5-3 in the top of the fourth, Drew Woodley slugged a three-run home run to left field that restored a Pioneer advantage. Willy Borquez followed up in the fifth with a solo home run to right field.
 
In the bottom half of the fifth, MBU loaded the bases to set up a two-RBI single from Lucas Lefebvre. Another run scored on a wild pitch that put the Spartans ahead 8-7.
 
MBU added two more in the sixth and two in the seventh before surrendering six in the top of the eighth to MNU. Borquez clubbed a grand slam in the inning, his second of the game, to tie the contest at 12. Sean Maple was hit by a pitch in the next plate appearance and Christopher Lugo gave his team the lead with a two-run shot to left.
 
The Pioneers added one more in the ninth as insurance and Jackson Noland closed out the game in the bottom half to secure the 15-12 win and his first save of the season.
 
Winning Pitcher:  B. Brecklin (2-1)
Losing Pitcher: Greg Ryun (0-1)
Save: J. Noland (1)
 
Batting Leaders
James Jett: 3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R
Jayden Orozco: 4-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB
Blayne Yarger: 2-for-6, HR, 2B, 2 RBI
 
Records:
No. 23 Missouri Baptist: 20-9, 15-5 AMC
(RV) MidAmerica Nazarene: 16-8, 9-3 Heart
 
What's Next?
The homestand continues Friday, March 28, as the Spartans open a four-game set with a doubleheader against Williams Baptist University. The first pitch is set for noon.
 
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