CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – No. 1 Missouri Baptist University suffered its first loss of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament after falling to No. 2 Central Methodist University (37-15, 20-8) on Saturday morning.
In a double-elimination bracket, the Spartans returned to Busse Field at 5 p.m. to face No. 3 Grand View University (37-16, 20-8) in the consolation round.
Missouri Baptist secured a 3-2 win and earned a rematch with the CMU Eagles in the conference tournament championship, set for Sunday, May 3, at noon.
Central Methodist Recap
The MBU offense started out strong with a series of base hits from
Makayla Johnson and
Brooklynn Fischer.
Allison Leigraf followed with a sacrifice fly to run in Johnson and put the Spartans on the board.
However, the game quickly grew out of control in the second inning.
Brooklynn Fischer (14-4) struggled to contain the opposing lineup, allowing three consecutive RBI followed by a three-run home run.
Madison Sherry (1-2) replaced Fischer on the circle and closed out the inning, but the Spartans were unable to generate momentum at the plate.
Central Methodist added an additional pair of RBI in the third and a trio in the fifth to end the game in a run-rule, 13-1.
Winning pitcher: Karlie Barnum (18-3)
Losing pitcher:
Brooklynn Fischer (14-4)
Batting leaders:
Allison Leigraf: 1-for-2, RBI
Makayla Johnson: 1-for-2, R
Brooklynn Fischer: 1-for-3, 2B
Grand View Recap
Both Missouri Baptist and Grand View remained scoreless through the first three innings, backed by strong pitching from
Kaylie Brake (24-4) and solid fielding.
The Vikings notched their first run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly.
Johnson sparked the MBU offense in the fifth with an RBI single to drive in
Alohilani Bursey.
Jacie Dees added an RBI triple in the sixth, and Bursey followed with an RBI single, putting the Spartans up 3-1 heading into the final frame.
GVU added one last RBI in the seventh but was unable to close the deficit. Missouri Baptist secured the 3-2 win to stay alive in the tournament and earn a chance to compete for the title on Sunday.
Brake earned her 24th win of the season, an MBU single-season record, with seven innings of work, two earned, one walk, and one strikeout.
Winning pitcher:
Kaylie Brake (24-4)
Losing pitcher: Molly Breeding (7-4)
Batting leaders:
Jacie Dees: 1-for-3, 3B, RBI, R
Alohilani Bursey: 2-for-3, RBI, R
What's next?
No. 1 Missouri Baptist University (40-11, 23-5) will play No. 2 Central Methodist University in the Heart Conference Championship on Sunday, May 3, at noon.
All games will be streamed on
Urban Edge Network, with live stats available on
NAIA Stats (powered by PrestoSports).
