Box Score Maryville, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University baseball team claimed a 16-8 victory in the first game of a four-game series against Northwest Missouri on Friday afternoon. With the victory, SBU moves to 7-10 (6-7 MIAA) on the season.

The Bearcat offense was ready to go from the start of the game, as SBU opened up the first inning by putting two runs on the scoreboard. SBU put two runners on with two outs when Jake Vore hit a two-rbi single to centerfield to put SBU up 2-0. The Bearcats added another two runs in the second inning, with Bo Helsel scoring on a error by NWMSU and Drew Miller coming home on a fielder's choice, putting SBU up 4-0. Northwest Missouri responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs of their own to cut the lead in half at 4-2.

The Bearcats once again put runs on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Christian Binger led the inning off with a double to right field, and Vore reached base on another error by Northwest Missouri. After an rbi groundout from Ross Wolfe, Bo Helsel blasted a two-run homerun to put SBU up 7-2. In the bottom half of the inning, Northwest Missouri once again plated two runs to stay in the contest down 7-4.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Bearcats got back on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning. Spencer Blacksher led the inning off with a double, and SBU scored two runs off of two different errors by NWMSU. The Bearcats also received rbi singles from Chance Wolfe and Zach Snodgrass to give SBU an 11-4 lead. Once again Northwest Missouri responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs, cutting the lead to 11-7. NWMSU added another run in the bottom of the seventh to cut the lead to 11-8, but SBU wouldn't let them any closer.

The Bearcats added five insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning. With the bases loaded, Snodgrass was hit by a pitch, bringing home Miller, and Binger had an rbi groundout to put SBU up 13-8. Blacksher then hit a three-run homerun, his fifth on the year, putting SBU up 16-8.

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, March 15 when they are set to play a double-header at NWMSU. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. from Maryville, Missouri.