Final score- Missouri Baptist University 5, Baptist Bible College 4
Location- BBC (US Ballpark) Ozark, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri- The Patriots gave up a total of five runs in the second and third innings which proved to be their undoing. The Spartans, nationally ranked number 11 in the NAIA, tallied two runs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead on timely hitting. The Patriots got one run back in the bottom of the second to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. After two outs occurred, Kam Grant drew a walk.
Drew Wheeler singled to advance Grant to third base.
Grant Merryman then singled home Grant.
Missouri Baptist tacked on three more runs in the third inning to take a 5-1 lead. BBC didn't score again until the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out,
Tate Wheeler singled and promptly stole second base. After a second out,
Sam Golden stroked a single which scored T. Wheeler, 5-2 MBU.
The Patriots struck again for a single tally in the bottom of the sixth.
Haden Parton led off the inning by being hit. He advanced to second base on a single by Grant. D. Wheeler singled to load the bases. Merryman then hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Parton, 5-3 MBU.
BBC then had a chance in the bottom of the seventh inning as they pulled within one run. Golden singled to start things off.
Landry Delgado came in as a courtesy runner for Golden.
Carter Vienhage then pinch-hit. He was met with a ball too far inside and was struck by it, sending him to first base to make it, first and second base with no one out. After an out, Grant hit a ground ball that resulted in a fielding error which allowed Delgado to come around and score closing the gap to 5-4. Unfortunately, the next two batters were struck out to end the rally and the game.
Highlights-
- Tate Wheeler, 1 for 3, a run, and a walk.
- Landon Richards, 1 for 3.
- Sam Golden, 3 for 4, 1 RBI.
- Kam Grant, 2 for 3, 1 double, 1run scored, a walk, and 1 RBI.
- Grant Merryman, 1 for 3, 2 RBIs.
- Drew Wheeler 2 for 4.
Up next- The Patriots will turn right around and play Missouri Baptist in the second game of the doubleheader. Tentative start time is 4 pm.