St. Joseph, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University baseball team had excellent starting pitching from Justin Pasichnyk and Tyler Burnett as they earned a split with Missouri Western on Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats dropped game one 4-2 before bouncing back to take game two 2-1.

In the first game Tyler Burnett gave the Bearcats a solid six innings, pitching a complete game while giving up four runs. The Griffons took a 4-0 lead heading into the seventh inning before the Bearcats started making a comeback. After a leadoff walk by Ross Wolfe, Brendon Cox had an infield single to put runners on the corners with two outs. Landon Young then delivered a double to right field to cut the lead in half at 4-2. However, the comeback bid fell short as SBU dropped game one 4-2.

In game two Pasichnyk threw an excellent game for SBU, giving the Bearcats 8 strong innings, allowing only one run and scattering 7 hits. The score remained tied at 0-0 through the first five innings before the Bearcats broke out in the top of the sixth. With one out, Drew Miller singled through the left side, followed by a double to right field from Bo Helsel to have runners on second and third. Both runners then came home off of fielder's choice from Ross Wolfe, putting SBU up 2-0. The Griffons were able to get one run back, but closer Jacob Sullinger came in to seal the deal in the 9th, retiring all three batters he faced, recording his third save on the season.

"Both games were really competitive," head coach Chris Martin stated after the games. "Both well played by each team. We pitched it well and played good defense. We are really playing well right now. Tomorrow is a big day for us."

The Bearcats will be back in action on Sunday, April 29 to wrap up the series against the Griffons. Opening pitch of game three is set for 12:00 p.m. from St. Joseph, Missouri.