Bolivar, Mo. – The 2021 Baseball season came to an end Saturday afternoon, ending in a dramatic fashion. After trailing 6-2 in the 8^th, the Bearcats battled back and won the game with a walk-off walk, taking the game 7-6. SBU picked up their third straight win to take the series against the Drury Panthers, 3-1 and ended the season 19-21 (15-20 GLVC).
 
The Bearcats wasted no time getting on the board, as Josh Scott smashed his 8^th homerun of the season in the first inning. In the bottom of the 2^nd, senior Hayden Crabtree hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Sam Avila to take a 2-0 lead. The Panthers evened things up in the 5^th and scored 4 in the 8^th to take a 6-2 lead late in the game.
 
Despite the late deficit, SBU refused to give in. Eli Smock led off the 8^th with a single to right. Taking over as a pinch runner, Evan Turnquist advanced to second on a single from Joe Wade. Rhys Cratty and Kyler Charchun both drew walks, cutting the Panther lead to 6-3. The next batter was senior Sam Avila, coming up clutch with a two-run double to right center. A batter later, the score was tied on a Brooks Espy sacrifice fly, scoring Ty McAninch.
 
Senior Brett Wilbanks had a solid 9^th inning, striking out two and not allowing a hit. Leading off the bottom of the 9^th, Hayden Crabtree knocked a single to center field. Evan Turnquist then reached on a push bunt single, moving the game-winning run into scoring position. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt, but the Panthers got another out to leave SBU with one left. After going ahead 2-0 in the count, Rhys Cratty was intentionally walked because of his team-leading .329 batting average and threat at the plate. With a full count, Ty McAninch stayed disciplined, taking ball four to bring home the winning run, 7-6.
 
Brett Wilbanks was credited with the win, a fitting end to his career. Senior Hayden Crabtree went 2-3 at the plate, driving in a run and scoring the winning run himself. Jackson Soule, Sam Avila, and Blake Lutgen also picked up hits in their final collegiate game.
 
Zack Ehlen ended the season with a .509 on base percentage and 40 walks, both ranking him 2^nd SBU's single season history. Colby Sneed was hit by a pitch 14 times in 2021, also placing him 2^nd most in a single season. With a 2.45 ERA, Ryan Carmack claims the 5^th best ERA in a single season and finishes with the 2^nd best opponent batting average at .197. Dalton Morrow became the program's winningest pitcher with 18 wins and upped his strikeout record to 272 in his career. Head coach Chris Martin also hit a historic mark with his 200^th win.