LEBANON, Tenn. – No. 12 Missouri Baptist University baseball dropped the series finale to (RV) Cumberland University on Saturday after securing a series win with a doubleheader sweep on Friday.
The Spartans started in a 5-0 deficit through five innings before tallying four runs in the sixth. Cumberland responded with runs in each of the remaining innings to close the door on a 10-6 victory over MBU.
(RV) Cumberland Recap
Missouri Baptist starting pitcher
Tyler Timmerman escaped trouble in the first inning and set the side down in order in the second. A pair of Phoenix home runs in the bottom of the third, however, had the Spartans in a 3-0 hole.
After his solo home run in the third, Camden Williamson reached on an infield single with a runner on base, and a throwing error brought in a fourth run. Later in the inning, Williamson scored on an infield groundout to extend the advantage to five runs.
In the top of the sixth,
Kai Gray singled home a runner, followed by
Griffin Brown's two-RBI double to right field that scored both Gray and
Kevin Watkins to pull the Spartans to 5-4.
Gaines Haussin hit another home run for the Phoenix, a two-run shot, in the bottom of the sixth. In the seventh, Charlie Rocca sent another ball out of Woody Hunt Stadium to aid a 9-4 lead.
Carlos Hidalgo wrapped up a 3-for-4 afternoon with his third extra-base hit in the eighth. With two outs and
Matis Crouwel on first, he sent out his fourth home run of the campaign.
Cumberland clubbed a fifth home run and worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to complete the 10-6 win to avoid the series sweep.
Tyler Timmerman took the loss after going three innings with four runs (three earned) with four strikeouts. The MBU bullpen combined allowed six runs and nine strikeouts over the remaining seven innings.
Phoenix starter Carter Whitefield picked up his first win of the season after allowing five hits, two walks, and one earned run while tallying eight strikeouts.
Winning Pitcher: C. Whitefield (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Tyler Timmerman (0-2)
Batting Leaders
Carlos Hidalgo: 3-for-4, HR, 2 2B, 3 RBI
Griffin Brown: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Record:
No. 12 Missouri Baptist: 9-3
(RV) Cumberland: 8-8
What's Next?
MBU will host the Clay Pfeiffer Memorial Tournament beginning on Friday, March 6. The tournament features Midland University (Neb.) and Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.). The entire tournament can be watched on the
Urban Edge Network.
