Box Score
Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University baseball team held off a late surge by Maryville in the opening game of the four-game series against the Saints, picking up a 7-5 victory. With the win, SBU improves to 4-0 on the season.

Southwest Baptist put Maryville down in order in the top of the first, before taking the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Caleb Sneed led off with a double down the left field line, followed by a Chance Wolfe single through the left side. Two batters later Sean Murley doubled home both runners, giving SBU a 2-0 lead. Two batters later Hunter Hisky drew a two-out walk, putting two runners on before Jovany Urbieta doubled home both Murley and Hisky to give SBU a 4-0 lead.

After again retiring the Saints, the Bearcats went back to work in the bottom of the second. With one out, Sneed singled up the middle and after a fielder's choice, Wolfe came home on an rbi double from Clint Jack to extend the Bearcat lead to 5-0. MU responded with a solo homerun in the fourth before the Bearcats tacked on two more in the bottom half of the inning. Back-to-back singles from Cody Massey and Sneed led the inning off before Wolfe singled home Massey to put SBU on top 6-1. After loading the bases, Nelson Muniz hit an infield single to plate the Bearcats final run of the day as SBU led 7-1.

Maryville answered back with four runs in the seventh, cutting the SBU lead down to two at 7-5. In the top of the ninth Maryville threatened again, loading the bases with no outs, but closer Wolfe forced a pop up and a double play to secure the save and the Bearcat victory.

SBU will return to action on Saturday, February 18 when they host Maryville in doubleheader action. Opening pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m. from Dodson Field in Bolivar.