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BOLIVAR, MO. ... It took eight innings for Southwest Baptist to score as they made a game against Upper Iowa but the rally fell short in the bottom of the ninth as the Peacocks won, 4-2. SBU is now 11-8 on the year.
UIU scored two runs in the first two innings and then one in the fifth and seventh inning for a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the eighth, the SBU bats finally came alive.
With two outs, SBU rallied for two runs in an inning that fell short of its potential due to SBU getting caught stealing. The bases were loaded when Spencer Wilkins walked and then Chris Martinez brought in SBU's two runs with a single to left field. As Bobby McMillin was up to bat, SBU was thrown out stealing to end the inning with two runners in scoring position.
Again, SBU made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. The first two batters received outs and then Josh Baggett singled to get on base. Joel Gould's pop up looked to be the third out but the short stop dropped the ball to put two runners on with two outs. Jason Asher grounded out to end the inning as SBU fell to UIU, 4-2.
J.R. Smith took the loss as he went 6.0 innings with three strikeouts. Ray Kelly finished the final three innings. Neither pitcher gave up a walk. UIU garnered 12 hits between the two pitchers.
Baggett went 2-of-4 but Chris Martinez was 1-of-3 with two RBIs.
SBU will be back in action on Friday, March 24, when they host Minnesota State-Mankato at 12 p.m. in a double header.