Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University Bearcats provided excellent starting pitching against #10 Central Missouri Tuesday afternoon in Bolivar, but it wasn't enough as Central Missouri took both games, 5-1, 12-2. The Bearcats remained competitive in both games, but were unable to come away with a victory.

In game one Cody Holzer gave the Bearcats an excellent start, pitching a complete game while allowing only 6 hits. Holzer allowed only 1 hit over the final four innings of play. Central Missouri jumped ahead early in the game one, using a 4 run 2nd inning, to take a 5-0 lead after three. The Bearcats were able to get one back in the bottom of the fifth after Spencer Blacksher led the inning off with a single, he eventually came home on a Landon Young sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1. However, Central Missouri would go on to claim a 5-1 victory.

In game two, Tyler Burnett pitched outstanding for the Bearcats. After giving up a two runs in the first, Burnett locked in and pitched five scoreless innings before coming out of the game in the sixth. Burnett ended up pitching six innings, allowing three runs off of only four hits. After Central Missouri took a 2-0 lead, the Bearcats started battling back. Tyler Christophel led the 4th inning off with a single to right field. The bases were then loaded three batters later, as Christophel came home on a double-play to cut the Mules lead to 1 at 2-1. The Bearcats would tie the game up in the bottom of the 5th when Landon Young hit an rbi-single to bring home Ross Wolfe. However, the Mules would score 10 unanswered runs in the 7th and 8th to take the 12-2 victory.

"I thought our guys battled hard," head coach Chris Martin stated. "Cody and Tyler both gave us good starts. I am proud of our guys fight and determination. We'll keep working to be ready for the weekend."

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, March 30 when they host the Gorillas of Pittsburg State. First pitch of the double-header is set for 1:00 p.m. from Dodson Field.