Box Score

Joplin, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University baseball team opened up a three-game series at #13 Missouri Southern on Friday evening with a big 5-3 extra inning victory over the Lions. With the win, SBU improves to 15-13 (10-8 MIAA) on the season.

The Bearcats started the scoring off in the top of the second inning. Jeff Bouchard led the inning off with a triple to right field, followed two batters later with an rbi double to left center by Trevor Bowling to give SBU a 1-0 lead. SBU extended their lead in the top of the third inning when Carter Sherban hit a two-run homerun to rightfield, following a Sean Murley single, to extend the lead to 3-0. Missouri Southern would answer with a run in the fifth, and two unearned runs in the sixth, as the game would be tied 3-3 heading into the seventh.

After a strong effort by SBU starting pitcher Cory Borsh (6.0 innings, 7 K's, 1 ER), Calvin Lovig threw 4.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, helping take the 3-3 game to extra innings. With two outs in the top of the eleventh, Cody Massey drew a full count walk before Caleb Sneed hit the game winning two-run homerun to right field to give SBU the 5-3 lead. Sherban picked up his second save on the season, throwing a scoreless inning with a strikeout, as SBU picked up the 5-3 victory.

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, April 2 when they will take on Missouri Southern in game two of the series. Opening pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. from Joplin, Missouri.