GAME OVERVIEW
The Lindenwood baseball team (21-19, 14-11 MIAA) rallied late in the ninth inning to pick up a win over Southwest Baptist (15-24, 7-18 MIAA) in the first game of the series on Thursday in Bolivar, Mo.
 
The Bearcats took an early lead with a run in the first inning and another in the third inning to go up 2-0.  Bryce Beckmann started the fifth inning with a single through the right side.  Ryan Venne followed with a single up the middle, and Calvin Nowak drove in Beckmann on a single of his own.  Kolby Schulte put the ball in play in the next at bat, allowing Venne and Nowak to score, making it 3-2 in favor of the Lions.
 
Southwest Baptist tied the game in the bottom of the seventh to make the final three innings interesting.  In the ninth inning, Venne singled through the left side with two outs to keep the inning alive.  Alex Gauspohl pinch ran and went from first to third on a single by Nowak to put runners at the corners with one out.  Schulte drove in Gauspohl on a single to right field, breaking the tie.  Mitchell Krebs laid down a perfect bunt to bring in Nowak, extending the lead to 5-3.  The Lions turned a key double play in the bottom of the ninth and held on for the 5-3 win over the Bearcats.
 
GAME LEADERS
Bryce Beckmann (3-for-4, 1 R)
Kolby Schulte (2-for-5, 1 RBI)
Calvin Nowak (2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions will take on the Bearcats for the second game of the series starting at 1 p.m. on Friday in Bolivar, Mo.