March 11, 2005

[Box 1 / Box 2]

BOLIVAR, MO. ... Augustana College (6-4) came back in the final inning of both games to deliver two tough losses to Southwest Baptist (9-7-1), 12-11 and 5-4.

Caleb Stark hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give SBU a 11-10 lead before SBU fell in the top of the seventh.

Game 1

After AC jumped out to a 7-2 lead, SBU worked its magic to put themselves in a place to win the game. SBU scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to make it 7-5. Kevin Miller nailed his sixth home run of the year to cut the lead to two.

AC scored three more runs in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to five, 10-5. SBU added two runs in the fifth inning when Spencer Wilkins reached on a fielder's choice to score Jason Hines and then Robby Hallock hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Caleb Stark.

SBU then took the lead, 11-10 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Stark crushed a shot to right field and cleared the bases.

In the top of the seventh, SBU gave up a two-run home run with one out as AC retook the lead for good, 12-11. AC's Louie Opatz struck out the side in the bottom of the inning for the win.

Stark led SBU as he went 3-of-4 for four RBIs. J.R. Smith saw the most action vs. AC as he pitched four innings and gave up four earned runs while striking out three.

Game 2

Skyler Powers doubled home two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to give SBU a 4-3 lead.

Game two was a spitting image of game one, only there were not as many runs scored. AC took a 2-0 lead as they scored runs in the second and third innings. SBU got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning when Wilkins singled home Stark to make it 2-1.

AC added one run in the top of the fifth inning before SBU tagged AC's Nate Schwartz for three runs. Eric Beal was the first run scored on an error and then Powers doubled home two runs to make it 4-3.

AC then tied the game at four on a home run in the sixth inning and then doubled home the winning run in the top of the seventh inning.

Five SBU players each had one hit while Powers had two RBI.

SBU will take on Augustana College again on Saturday, March 12, at 12 p.m. in Bolivar.