BU closes CMU series with split

VERSAILLES, Mo. -- Riley Baasch and Josh Vaughan each had four-hit days for the Bellevue University baseball team as the Bruins split a pair of games at the CMU Series. BU defeated Olivet Nazarene University 14-3 in the opener before falling to #10 Central Methodist by a score of 12-5.

Following a 3-1 weekend, Bellevue sees their overall record move to 9-3. Olivet Nazarene drops to 2-9 and the Eagles improve to 9-1.

Game One: BU 14, ONU 3

The Bellevue offense pounded out 12 hits and drew nine walks while being aided by four Olivet Nazarene errors as the Bruins pushed across 14 runs for the second-straight game.

Riley Baasch, Payton Higgins, and Josh Vaughan each tallied multi-hit games with Baasch accounting for three base knocks.

Tyler Knox and Rigo Duarte both went yard for Bellevue as BU tallied four extra-base hits in Saturday's opener.

After ONU scored twice in the second to erase an early 1-0 deficit, Bellevue rallied with a four-run second to take a 5-2 lead.

A single run in the top of the third by ONU was answered with a three-spot from the Bruins in the home half and two more in the fourth as Bellevue seized control of play.

A four-run sixth put any thoughts of a comeback to bed and Bellevue turned it over to McGrane Pledger who fired a 1-2-3 inning in relief to close things out.

Graham Cahill (2-0) turned in a quality start allowing three runs on six hits over six innings of work to earn the win.

Tyler Guertin (0-2) took the loss for ONU after being charged with allowing eight runs (five earned) on six hits and six walks in just three innings.

Game Two: CMU 12, BU 5

Game two belonged to Central Methodist from the outset with Bellevue unable to solve Eagle starter Kenny Otero for six innings before he ran into trouble in the seventh.

Through the first six innings Bellevue managed just a run on a pair of hits against Otero.

CMU scored in each of the first two innings before the Bruins got a run back on Payton Higgins' solo homer in the fourth.

The Eagles responded with four runs in their half of the inning before going on to add three more in each the fifth and sixth innings.

Corey Jackson (1-2) took the loss after being charged with allowing seven runs on eight hits in 4.1.

Otero (2-0) was credited with the win, his final line deceiving his performance. His final line saw him charged with four runs on four hits. He struck out eight and walked two batters.

Up Next:

Bellevue travels south for their annual Spring Break trip to Florida featuring nine games in eight days. The road trip begins with a double-header against Warner University on Saturday, Mar. 6 at 2 p.m. from Royals Field in Lake Wales, Fla.