Box Score Bolivar, MO – The SBU Bearcats (19-21, 17-15 MIAA) hosted Missouri Southern State University (25-16, 19-14 MIAA) today in an important MIAA conference baseball matchup.  The Bearcats came in to the day sitting in 8th place in the MIAA hoping to continue their two-game winning streak and bolster their position in the standings.  They were able to accomplish both objectives in a come from behind 5-4 victory.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first four innings, but SBU and MSSU both had multiple opportunities that were suppressed by the defenses.  Dustin Caplette forced double plays in the first and third innings ending threats by the Lions. 

In the fifth inning, MSSU put up the first runs of the game.  In the inning the Lions had three singles to load the bases against SBU.  With two outs, Dallas Burke hit a line drive that barely squeaked under the glove of SBU shortstop Ross Wolfe to drive in the Lions' first two runs.  Caplette forced a fly out to right by the next batter limiting the damage.  In the bottom half of the fifth, SBU answered back with two runs of their own to keep the game tied.  A single by Will Swofford and back-to-back walks by Landon Young and Christian Binger loaded the bases with one out for the Bearcats.  Spencer Blacksher was then hit by a pitch to bring in one run and Bo Helsel brought in the other on a fielder's choice ground out. 

The game didn't stay tied for long as MSSU left fielder Will Wagner led off the top of the 6th with a homerun to right field.  The Lions would tack on an unearned run in the 8th inning to go ahead by a score of 4-2.

After a couple of failed scoring chances in the 6th and 7th innings, the Bearcats finally broke through in the bottom of the 8th inning to take the lead for good.  Will Swofford started the rally with a one-out single to left field.  Josh Herrick followed with a line drive double over the MSSU left fielder's head putting runners at second and third.  After an MSSU pitching change, Landon Young walked loading the bases for Christian Binger.  Binger lined the first pitch he saw to right field for an RBI single bringing in Swofford and Herrick tying the game at 4.  Spencer Blacksher then singled through the left side bringing in Landon Young for what turned out to be the winning run. 

Jacob Sullinger came on in the ninth and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to pick up his second save of the year and secure the win for the Bearcats. 

Dustin Caplette (5-2) picked up the win for the Bearcats.  He threw 8 innings giving up 12 hits and allowing 4 runs (3 ER), while striking out 4 and walking 3.  

David Reese (4-5) was the losing pitcher for the Lions giving up 1 run on 2 hits without recording an out. Brett Abell (4-2) pitched well for the Lions throwing 7 1/3 innings giving up 8 hits and 4 runs while striking out 7 and walking 5.

The Bearcats were led offensively by Christian Binger who went 2-2 with 2 singles, 3 walks, and 2 RBI.

With the win today, the Bearcats have now won 8 out of their last 11 games in their push towards the MIAA playoffs.  “I thought [Caplette] was really good.  He's been that way for two years now,” Coach Chris Martin stated after the win. “We made some mistakes in the middle of the game, but our guys kept stringing together tough at bats against a really good pitcher.  Then we came through big in the 8th.  I thought the game was played like a playoff game and for us, they all are from here on out.” 

The Bearcats and the Lions will finish the 3-game series tomorrow with an afternoon double header.  First pitch for Game 2 of the series is set for 1:00pm and Game 3 will start at approximately 3:00pm.  SBU will honor 7 seniors tomorrow with a special presentation in between the games.