WALNUT RIDGE, ARK. - Missouri Baptist began their two day four game weekend in Arkansas at Williams Baptist, and the Spartans did their job as they took game one 9-4 and the second game 6-4, kicking the weekend off on the right note.

 

Game One Recap

The Spartans struck first following a leadoff double by Jenna Achs in the first inning when Jacie Dees hit a sacrifice fly that brought Achs across home plate.

 

The two conference foes went scoreless into the fourth inning before Miranda Ladson blasted a three-run homer over the left-field fence, scoring Dees and Brooklynn Fischer, and putting the Spartans up 4-0.

 

Fischer threw a scoreless four innings, allowing just one run, before Williams Baptist was able to get something going, but the Spartans had tacked on two more runs and the score was brought to 6-5 after the Eagles scored two runs on one hit and an error.

 

WBU brought the game closer when they launched a two-run homerun over the fence in the sixth inning, but the Spartans extended their lead back to five runs when they tacked on three runs on four hits in the top of the seventh, boosting them to another conference victory.

 

The top of Missouri Baptist's lineup had an incredible game, aiding the squad with 10 base hits including three extra-base hits.

 

Fischer threw a complete game for the Spartans and picked up a strikeout per inning while only allowing two earned runs.

 

Winning Pitcher: Brooklynn Fischer (15-3)

Losing Pitcher: M. Garner (10-4)

 

Batting Leaders

Jacie Dees: 3-for-3, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI

Jenna Achs: 3-for-4, 2B, 3 R

Allison Leigraf: 2-for-4, 2 RBI

 

Game Two Recap

MBU and WBU put a pitchers duel on display to start the second game of the afternoon. Both teams held each other scoreless heading into the fourth inning. The Spartans started a two out rally that scored a trio of runs and was highlighted by a Bella Skibinski two-RBI double. Leigraf, Grace McGinnis, and Makayla Johnson all scored in the inning.

 

The Eagles answered with a run of their own in their half of the inning, but Missouri Baptist got it back quickly as Leigraf drove home Fischer on a two-out double.

 

Taylor Whitehead threw up a zero in the runs column in the fifth inning, but WBU got some more offense going in the sixth with three runs scoring on four hits, stranding two on base.

 

The top of the seventh kicked off with a one-out walk from Fischer, and Ladson came up big with a double into the gap that scored Madison Leckrone, who was pinch running for Fischer. Ladson eventually came around to score too, giving the Spartans a two run cushion heading into the bottom of the seventh.

 

Williams Baptist found two baserunners in the seventh, but Whitehead and the Spartan defense were able to shut them down and come away with a 6-4 victory over the Eagles in game two.

 

Whitehead put together a stellar start for the Spartans as she allowed four runs, but struck out 11 batters while letting her defense work behind her.

 

Winning Pitcher: Taylor Whitehead (11-2)

Losing Pitcher: M. Bittle (4-1)

 

Batting Leaders

Bella Skibinski: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Miranda Ladson: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R

Allison Leigraf: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R

 

Records

Missouri Baptist: 30-6 (12-2 AMC)

Williams Baptist: 24-12 (8-6 AMC)

 

Next Game

Missouri Baptist will return to the diamond tomorrow at Crowley's Ridge, starting at noon.

Read Full Article