Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Bolivar, Mo. – Sophomore reliever Adam White struck out 11 batters in 5 innings out of the bullpen but the Southwest Baptist Baseball team fell short of capturing their second straight MIAA series win as they dropped a doubleheader to the Washburn Ichabods Saturday. The 16-1 and 8-6 losses allowed Washburn to win the series 2-1 and moved SBU's record to 16-27 (10-19 MIAA) on the season. The wins improved Washburn's record to 15-28 (9-23 MIAA).

Game 1
Starting his first game of the season, Mitchell Stemerdink worked a scoreless top of the 1^st inning. After the Bearcats went down in the bottom of the 1^st inning, Stemerdink ran into some trouble in the top of the 2^nd inning. The Ichabods scored three runs on an RBI single, RBI hit by pitch, and RBI walk to go ahead 3-0 early. In the top of the 3^rd inning, Brandon Hatfield replaced Stemerdink but the Ichabods offense tacked onto their lead against the Bearcat bullpen. Washburn tallied six runs in the inning to go up 9-0.

After the Bearcats went down quietly in the bottom of the 3^rd inning, the Ichabods extended their advantage to 12-0 in the top of the 4^th inning. SBU got on the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the 4^th inning. Clint Jack was able to scamper home on a Washburn throwing error to bring the score to 12-1. Washburn's 11 run lead did not last long though as they stretched their edge out to 14-1 with two more runs in the top of the 5^th inning.

Neither team scored runs in the 6^th inning but Washburn added two more in the top of the 7^th inning to make the final score 16-1. Stemerdink was saddled with the loss (1-3) while Nick Sloan picked up the win for Washburn (3-4). At the plate for SBU, Schwettmann, Jack, Luke Winfrey, and Hunter Hisky were responsible for the only four Bearcat hits in the game.

Game 2
The Bearcats hoped to change their fortunes in game two but Washburn started the game with three runs in the top of the 1^st inning and forced SBU to play catch up all game long. SBU immediately got two runs and closed it to one-run deficit, 3-2, in the bottom of the 1^st inning. Meier singled with one to give SBU a base runner. Following a strikeout, Schwettmann tripled over the center fielder's head to drive in Meier. Jack then hooked a double down the left field line to bring in Schwettmann.

Washburn stretched their lead out though in the top of the 2^nd. The Ichabods scored three more runs to make the score 6-2. In the bottom of the 2^nd, the Bearcats capitalized on a pair of Washburn mistakes to tally a run. Winfrey and Tyler Mathys both reached on errors with two outs to put runners on 1^st and 2^nd base. Meier came through with an RBI single to cut the Washburn lead down to 6-3. Washburn came right back with a run in the top of the 3^rd inning to extend the margin back to four at 7-3. In the bottom of the 3^rd inning, Schwettmann continued his hot hitting with a long solo blast to left field and trim the deficit back to three at 7-4.

After a scoreless 4^th inning from both teams, Washburn tacked another run on in the top of the 5^th inning via an RBI single. The SBU bullpen comprised of Adam White and Brandon Hatfield combined to hold Washburn scoreless the remainder of the game, giving SBU a chance to mount a comeback. In the bottom of the 6^th inning, Don Roethler brought the Bearcats back within three runs at 8-5 with an RBI groundout that scored Patrick Latham.

Following an uneventful 7^th inning, the SBU offense went back to work in the bottom of the 8^th inning. Roethler led off the inning with a single to left field. After two outs and a balk that allowed Roethler to advance to 2^nd base, Meier delivered once again with an RBI single to cut the Washburn lead down to 8-6. Hisky then singled to put the tying run on base and go ahead run at the plate. However, Washburn was able to strikeout Schwettmann to end SBU's scoring threat. In the bottom of the 9^th inning, Jack reached via a leadoff walk but the comeback effort came up short as the final three Bearcat batters were retired on strikeouts.

Elias Czech took the loss for SBU (2-4) while Austin Simpson got the win for Washburn (3-0). White was superb out of the Bearcat bullpen, throwing 5 innings with 11 strikeouts, no walks, and 1 earned run allowed on 6 hits. At the dish for SBU, Jack and Meier both collected 3 hits with Jack having an RBI as well and Meier chipping in 2 RBI and a run scored. Schwettmann went 2 for 5 in the game with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

SBU will be in action next when they travel to Central Missouri for a 6:00 PM game on Wednesday, April 25^th.