Liberty, Mo. – The Bearcat Baseball team opened a weekend series with William Jewell Thursday afternoon, picking up a win in game one. Their 9-6 victory helps them improve to 9-6 (6-5 GLVC) this season.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Bearcats got on the board first. The Cardinals got two quick outs in the second, but Sam Avila kept the offense alive with a double to right center. He was able to score on the next play thanks to an error by the Jewell center fielder. SBU kept their momentum going in the third, scoring another 3 runs. Blake Lutgen, Zack Ehlen, and Colby Sneed picked up back-to-back-to-back hits, taking a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, an error by the shortstop scored another, and a wild pitch allowed a third SBU run to score, bringing the Bearcat lead to 4-0. William Jewell managed to get on the board in the 4^th, scoring on a bases loaded walk.
 
After singling in the 6^th, Blake Ford was driven home by Blake Lutgen, bringing the score to 5-1. WJC responded with a run in the next half inning, 5-2. In the 7^th, a throwing error by the catcher brought home Jackson Soule and Sam Avila to make the score 7-2. Josh Scott and Colby Sneed picked up a couple RBI in the 8^th, giving the Bearcats a 9-2 cushion heading into the 9^th. William Jewell made a bit of a rally in the 9^th with 4 runs scored, but that's all they would get.
 
Colby Sneed was 2-3 at the plate with 2 RBI and a walk. Josh Scott was on base 4 times, going 2-3 with 2 walks. Zack Ehlen and Blake Lutgen had multi-hit performances as well. Ryan Carmack went 5.2 innings on the mound, surrendering just 3 hits and 1 earned run.
 
The teams will compete in a doubleheader tomorrow, Friday, April 2 beginning at 12:00 PM.