ST. LOUIS – No. 7 Missouri Baptist University baseball completed a four-game sweep over Benedictine College on Tuesday to improve its Heart of America Athletic Conference-leading 15-1 record in league play.

The Spartans outscored the Ravens 36-4 across two games to complete the four-game set.

Game One Recap
Missouri Baptist erupted for 16 runs on 18 hits and rode a strong complete-game effort from Tyler Timmerman to a 16-3 victory over Benedictine (Kan.) on Tuesday.

The Spartans broke things open early and never looked back, scoring in six consecutive innings to pull away. Missouri Baptist struck first in the second inning when Kai Gray lined an RBI single down the left-field line to score Kevin Watkins.

A four-run third inning gave MBU control. Nick Beech delivered a two-run single up the middle, followed by a two-run single from Matis Crouwel that extended the lead to 5-0.
Benedictine got on the board in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Michael McCavitt, but Missouri Baptist answered immediately. Gray led off the bottom half with a solo home run to right, and Marcus Graham later added an RBI single to make it 7-1.

The Ravens capitalized on defensive miscues in the fifth, scoring two unearned runs, but the Spartans again responded with a four-run inning. Max Shabestari and Crouwel each homered, while Sam Paule and Carlos Hidalgo added RBI hits to push the advantage to 11-3.

Missouri Baptist put the game out of reach with a five-run sixth inning. Jayden Orozco highlighted the frame with a solo home run, while Edward Viloria added an RBI single. Two additional runs scored on errors as the Spartans extended the lead to 16-3.

Crouwel led the offensive attack, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Gray finished 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs, while Beech drove in two runs. Hidalgo, Graham, Orozco, Shabestari and Watkins each recorded multiple hits as MBU totaled 18 hits.

On the mound, Timmerman (4-2) tossed a complete game, allowing three runs—just one earned—on nine hits while striking out 10 and walking one.

Winning Pitcher: Tyler Timmerman (4-2)
Losing Pitcher: Lance Bolles (0-2)
 
Batting Leaders:
Matis Crouwel: 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
Kai Gray: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R
 
Game Two Recap
Missouri Baptist cruised to a 20-1 victory over Benedictine (Kan.)in game two, completing the four-game sweep.

The Spartans wasted no time taking control, scoring twice in the first inning. Jayden Orozco delivered an RBI double down the left-field line before Max Shabestari added an RBI single to make it 2-0.

Missouri Baptist broke the game open in the second inning with six runs, aided by defensive miscues. Marcus Graham launched a two-run homer, Angelo Franco added an RBI single, and Shabestari capped the inning with a three-run home run to push the lead to 8-0.

The Spartans continued to pile on in the third, as Franco drove in two more runs with a single to extend the advantage to 10-0.

In the fourth, Missouri Baptist added five more runs. Carlos Hidalgo singled home a run before Orozco blasted a three-run homer to left field. Franco followed with a solo shot as the lead ballooned to 15-0.

Benedictine's lone run came in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Cooper Milroy, but Missouri Baptist quickly answered. Edward Viloria drove in two runs with a single later in the inning to make it 17-1.

The Spartans capped the scoring in the sixth. Kole Younger lined a two-run double down the right-field line, and another run scored on a wild pitch to set the final at 20-1.
Orozco led the offensive outburst, going 3-for-3 with a double, home run, four RBIs and three runs scored. Franco also drove in four runs on a 3-for-4 performance, while Shabestari finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a home run.

Hidalgo scored four times and went 3-for-3, while Younger added two RBIs and Viloria drove in two. Missouri Baptist totaled four home runs in the win.

On the mound, Teague Robertson (4-2) earned the win, tossing four shutout innings while allowing just two hits and striking out three. The Spartans' bullpen combined to allow one run over the final three innings.

Winning Pitcher: Teague Robertson (4-2)
Losing Pitcher: Johnny Andrews (0-1)
 
Batting Leaders:
Jayden Orozco: 3-for-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, BB
Angelo Franco: 3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
Max Shabestari: 3-for-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, R, BB
 
Record:
No. 7 Missouri Baptist: 27-5, 15-1 Heart
Benedictine: 18-16, 8-8 Heart
 
What's Next?
MBU will play Missouri Valley College in a home four-game set beginning on Thursday, April 9, at noon.
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