Box Score

Bolivar, Mo. –  Sophomore pitcher Luke Lucas had the strongest start of his career as the SBU Baseball team picked up a critical 5-1 victory over Pittsburg State on Friday afternoon. With the win, SBU improves to 18-23 (13-18 MIAA) on the season.

After a scoreless first inning to open up the game, the Bearcats were the first to strike in the bottom half of the second. Jeff Bouchard led the inning off with a single down the left field line, advanced to second on a groundout, and came home on an rbi single to left field by Trevor Bowling to give SBU a 1-0 lead.

The Bearcats would tack on three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. Sean Murley led the inning off with a double to left center, and after back-to-back outs Cody Massey drew a walk to put runners on first and second with two outs. After a Bowling single loaded the bases, Chance Wolfe drew an rbi walk, followed by a two-rbi single to center field by Hunter Hisky as SBU took a 4-0 lead.

Pittsburg State would get one run back in the top of the fifth, but after a scoreless sixth the Bearcats responded in the seventh. Hisky led the inning off with a double through the right side, was sacrificed over to third, and came home on an rbi double down the right field line by Christian Binger to give SBU a 5-1 lead. The run support was more than enough for starting pitcher Luke Lucas who threw 7.0 innings while scattering four hits to go along with six strikeouts. Calvin Lovig closed out the final two innings as SBU took the 5-1 victory.

The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, April 23 when they host Pittsburg State in the final game of the three-game series. Opening pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. from Dodson Field in Bolivar.