Bolivar, Mo. – The SBU baseball team started began the season with a pitching clinic, clinching a series win off Southern Nazarene to begin 3-1. The Bearcats controlled the entire series only trailing for one full inning across all 30 that were played.
 
The series was highlighted by the starting pitching for Southwest Baptist that led them to victory. Across all four starting pitchers there was only three earned runs across 20.2 innings pitched for an incredible 1.34 ERA.
 
Roberto Garcia got the first start on the mound throwing 4.2 innings not allowing a single run. Throughout those innings he faced 16 batters throwing seven strikeouts and only allowing two hits. Nash Crosby came in to relieve him finishing out the game not allowing a run, keeping the shutout in tact for an 8-0 victory.
 
In game two, senior Ryan McClish also had a strong start throwing for five innings allowing only one hit and one run. In his 15 batters faced he recorded six strikeouts with an impressive .067 batting average and a 1.80 ERA. This strong pitching performance led to a team win of 8-4.
 
The only Bearcat currently on the roster to win a GLVC pitcher of the week award is Jaden Thacker. He earned the third start in the series throwing for five innings allowing only one run and throwing three strikeouts. Despite a strong start and a 3-1 lead heading into the final inning, the Crimson Storm got hot scoring three runs in the 7^th to fight off the sweep.
 
The final game of the series had another pitching clinic from Bearcat freshman Aidan Hoffman throwing six innings allowing only one run and two hits. He faced 20 batters and threw six strikeouts leading to an SBU 6-1 victory.
 
While pitching was a highlight three Bearcats had over a .300 batting average. Redshirt freshman Xie Ferguson led all with a .444 average scoring five total runs and four hits to go along with a home run. Behind him was Lane Snow with a .357 average recording five hits and knocking in four RBI's.
 
SBU baseball will return to action this weekend as they take on MIAA opponent Newman University on the road. Bearcats will be back home the following weekend February 21^st & 22^nd to host Purdue University Northwest.