CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The top-seeded Missouri Baptist University Spartans clutched a 4-3 win over No. 4 Benedictine College (33-16, 19-9) on Friday, May 1, in an electric showdown at the Heart of America Conference Tournament.
After a clean shutout over Baker University in the first round, the MBU softball team came ready to work on day two.
Kaylie Brake took the mound and pitched all seven innings of the game. Despite a single home run in the fourth, she limited the Ravens to five hits, three runs and issued no walks in 94 pitches.
The Spartans got off to a slow start with a series of groundouts and pop flies, but
Allison Leigraf put her team on the board with a homer to left field in the fourth for 2 RBI.
After three quick outs from Brake, the Spartans returned to the plate for a dominant fifth inning.
Alohilani Bursey led off with a triple, and
Grace McGinnis followed with a bunt to send her home. One out later,
Makayla Johnson smashed a homer to left center to give the Spartans a two-run lead.
Despite two doubles and an RBI from Benedictine, Leigraf sealed the game with a near-collision catch on a foul ball along the left-field fence.
Winning pitcher:
Kaylie Brake (23-4)
Losing pitcher: Bailey Selvage (16-8)
Batting leaders:
Makayla Johnson: 1-for-3, HR, RBI
Allison Leigraf: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R
Alohilani Bursey: 2-for-3, R, 3B
What's Next?
The No. 1 Spartans improve to 38-10 (23-5) overall and advance to face the winner of No. 2 Central Methodist and No. 3 Grand View on Saturday, May 2, at noon.
All games will be streamed on
Urban Edge Network, with live stats available on
NAIA Stats (powered by PrestoSports).
