ST. LOUIS – Facing one of the top-ranked teams in the country, Stephens College struggled to contain No. 16 Missouri Baptist in a doubleheader Friday at Spartan Field, falling 1-11 in the opener and 0-14 in the nightcap.
Game 1: Missouri Baptist 11, Stephens 1 (5 innings)
Stephens (10-14, 4-2 AMC) found itself in an early hole after the Spartans (24-4, 6-0 AMC) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Missouri Baptist added six more runs over the next two innings.
The Stars' lone run came in the fourth inning when Ivy Smart reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on a double to left-center by Kara Krieger. However, Missouri Baptist quickly responded in the bottom half with two more runs to put the game out of reach.
Elise Kendrick (4-6) took the loss, surrendering nine runs (six earned) on eight hits over three innings. Krieger's RBI double was one of four hits for Stephens in the opener.
Game 2: Missouri Baptist 14, Stephens 0 (5 innings)
The Spartans struck early and often in the second game, plating four runs in the first inning.
The Stars struggled to generate offense against Missouri Baptist's pitcher, who tossed a three-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts. Landry Bales was a bright spot for Stephens, collecting two of the team's three hits.
On the defensive end, Stephens battled but couldn't slow the Spartans' offense, which exploded for 10 runs in the third and fourth innings combined.
Up next, Stephens looks to regroup as it returns home for an AMC matchup next week against cross-town rivals, Columbia College. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 and 4 pm at American Legion.
