OLATHE, Kan. – Missouri Baptist University baseball moved up to No. 8 in the country heading into its weekend four-game series at MidAmerica Nazarene University to continue Heart of America Athletic Conference play.

The Spartans jumped from No. 11 to No. 8 in the second NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 Poll and are currently riding a five-game winning streak.

MBU currently sits 14-4 overall and is 4-0 in the conference after opening Heart play with a four-game sweep at Spartan Baseball Field over the weekend.

Carlos Hidalgo is the reigning Heart Baseball Player of the Week after driving in 10 runs with four home runs in the four-game set with the Wildcats. He leads the team in on-base plus slugging at 1.288, which includes a .394 batting average, eight home runs, and 22 runs batted in.

On the mound, Gus Lucas and Teague Robertson lead the pitching staff with five wins combined. The bullpen has been lights out for the Spartans as well, with Austin Szverra, Elliot Veisauyadra, and Zach Peters all boasting an ERA below two. Peters, the closer, also has four saves in four appearances and 12 strikeouts over five innings of work.

The Pioneers enter the weekend at 8-14 overall and 2-2 in conference play. Last weekend at Missouri Valley College, MNU dropped both games on Friday, then responded with two wins on Saturday to earn the series split.  

The first pitch for both Friday and Saturday doubleheaders is set for 1 p.m. at Robbie Jones Field at Dixon Stadium. Live streams for every game will be available on the Urban Edge Network, with live stats on the Missouri Baptist Spartans mobile app or at MBUSpartans.com.