Bolivar, Mo. – Friday's game was historic for Southwest Baptist, as it was the first home baseball game with a start time of 6:30 PM. With the installation of lights earlier this year, the team will be able to play many Friday evening games in the future. SBU started with hot bats, but the momentum shifted to Rockhurst, ending 10-8 in favor of the Hawks. The loss puts SBU at 7-4 (4-3 GLVC) on the year.
 
Ryan Carmack got the nod on the mound, retiring the first three batters all via the groundout. In SBU's first opportunity on offense, Blake Lutgen led off with a full count single through the left side, and was later driven home on a Colby Sneed blast to left field. A couple batters later, Jackson Soule drove in Sam Avila on a sacrifice fly, giving SBU a 3-0 lead after one. The top of the second was another solid performance by Carmack, sitting the Hawks down on three consecutive strikeouts.
 
More scoring was done in the second, beginning with an infield single from Josh Scott. After a hit by pitch and a walk, Zack Ehlen hit one deep enough to score Scott on the sacrifice fly. Another SBU run was able to score on a Rockhurst error, putting SBU ahead 5-0. The Bearcats found themselves in another bases loaded situation in the third, scoring their 6^th run after Colby Sneed was hit by a pitch to bring home Blake Ford. It was shortly after that the momentum began to shift, as Rockhurst put up a five spot in the 4^th to get within one. They had another big inning in the 6^th, scoring three to take an 8-6 lead. Leading off the bottom of the 6^th, Zack Ehlen reached on a single and later scored thanks to excellent base running and a single from Sam Avila.
 
Colby Sneed led off the 8^th with an infield single, moving to second after Sam Avila drew a walk. A couple batters later, Sneed came around to score on a ground ball, tying the game at 8-8. Rockhurst kept their clutch hitting going, plating two more in the 9^th for a 10-8 lead. Two quick outs were made in the bottom of the 9^th, but a late rally had the bases loaded for the Bearcats. A solid line drive was then hit to the third baseman, ending the game 10-8 in favor of Rockhurst.   
 
Colby Sneed led the team offensively, going 3-5 at the plate with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored. Blake Lutgen, Zack Ehlen, and Josh Scott each had a multi-hit performance as well.
 
The teams will meet for games two and three in a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 27.