MESQUITE, Texas – Missouri Baptist University softball fell 11-5 to the No. 9 University of Science and Arts on Friday afternoon, followed by a 12-4 victory over Bethany College and a 5-0 loss to Ottawa University on Saturday morning at the Mesquite Softball Complex.

No. 9 USAO Recap
Science and Arts capitalized on defensive miscues early, scoring six unearned runs in the opening frame and four more in the second to build a double-digit lead.

The Spartans responded in the third inning with three runs. Makayla Johnson and Miranda Ladson reached base to start the rally, and Alexi Sanchez delivered a two-run double down the left-field line before later scoring on an error.

Missouri Baptist added another run in the fourth on a fielder's choice and closed the scoring in the sixth when Sanchez doubled to left-center to drive in Johnson.

Sanchez led the Spartans offensively, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBI. Johnson added two hits and scored three times.
Kaylie Brake took the loss after allowing eight runs, two earned, in the first inning. Madison Sherry provided relief, pitching five innings and allowing three runs, two earned.

Winning Pitcher: Lauren Thompson (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Kaylie Brake (0-1)

Batting Leaders
Alexi Sanchez: 3-for-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI
Makayla Johnson: 2-for-4, 3 R
Brooklynn Fischer: 1-for-3, RBI

Record:
Missouri Baptist: 1-1
No. 9 USAO: 1-0
 
Bethany Recap
The Spartans jumped ahead early and broke the game open with a seven-run second inning, scoring in each of the first four frames to secure the win. Missouri Baptist totaled 11 hits and took advantage of Bethany miscues to build a lead.
 
After Bethany evened the score at 1-1 in the second, MBU responded decisively. Allison Leigraf doubled home a run, Johnson followed with an RBI triple, and Fischer added an RBI single. Camryn Kessler drove in two more with a double, Alexi Sanchez plated a run on a groundout, and Miranda Ladson capped the inning with a solo home run to give the Spartans an 8-1 advantage.

MBU added two runs in the third on a sacrifice fly from Kelsie Holtmeyer and a solo homer from Johnson. Two unearned runs crossed in the fourth to make it 12-4.

Brake earned the win in the circle, allowing four unearned runs on five hits over four innings with three strikeouts. Ashlynn Jackson tossed a scoreless fifth inning in relief.

Winning Pitcher: Kaylie Brake (1-1)
Losing Pitcher: P. Hammer (0-1)

Batting Leaders
Makayla Johnson: 2-for-2, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3B, HR
Miranda Ladson: 2-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI
Allison Leigraf: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Camryn Kessler: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI

Record:
Missouri Baptist: 2-1
Bethany:0-2
 
Ottawa Recap
Ottawa scored twice in the first inning on a two-run home run and added single runs in each of the next three innings to build the lead. The Braves were backed by a complete-game shutout in the circle from Lanie Becker.

MBU threatened in multiple innings, collecting six hits in the contest, but was unable to push a run across. The Spartans put runners on base in the first, sixth, and seventh innings, including a bases-loaded opportunity in the sixth that was cut short at the plate.

Fischer was charged with the loss, allowing three runs over 1.1 innings. Sherry surrendered two runs in relief, while Brake closed the game with 3.2 scoreless innings.

Winning Pitcher: L. Becker (2-0)
Losing Pitcher: Brooklynn Fischer (1-1)

Batting Leaders
Jacie Dees: 2-for-3
Brooklynn Fischer: 2-for-3
 
Record:
Missouri Baptist: 2-2
Ottawa: 3-0
 
What's Next?
The Spartans have a four-game tilt in Alexandria, La., with No. 13 Louisiana State University Alexandria, beginning on Friday, Feb. 13. Friday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 14, at noon and 2 p.m.
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