The Baker University baseball team hit an end-of-the-season slump, dropping five of its last six games to Avila University and MidAmerica Nazarene University.
Baker was swept by Avila 5-4 and 13-3 on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo. Heading into the seventh inning, the ‘Cats had a 4-3 advantage until miscommunication turned a pop fly into a double. The Eagles gained momentum from the play and took the game 5-4.
In the second game, Avila exploded in the first inning, tacking six runs onto the board. Baker was unable to respond in the game, which led to a 13-3 defeat.
Baker was unable to bounce back from the sweep on Sunday when the team hosted Avila at Sauder Field. After producing just three hits, two of which were by junior Kyle King, the ‘Cats went on to lose the first game 9-1.
Junior Nick Burd helped Baker get back on track by pitching his first complete game of the season in the team’s 7-2 victory. The ‘Cats jumped ahead with an early 2-1 lead in the first inning. Senior Tim McConn added to the score with a home run in the third inning.
Baker maintained the lead throughout the contest to take the game. The victory improved Burd’s record on the mound to 3-2 on the year. Head coach Phil Hannon said he was pleased with Burd’s abililty to slow down Avila’s offense.
“As of this weekend they were the best hitting team we’ve faced all year,” Hannon said. “They make good adjustments. Nick kept them off balance, not giving them opportunities to sit back and drive the baseball.”
Baker continued to struggle Tuesday as it faced MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe. Senior Logan Peck started the game on the mound, giving up six runs in two innings.
The ball was then given to junior transfer Hanson Perkins, who threw the rest of the game, giving up eight runs. Junior Jerrod White sparked the Wildcat offense in the fourth inning with a lead-off home run.
In the same inning, senior Ben Mejia smashed a three-run home run. However, the home runs were not enough to send the Eagles home, as they took the game 14-5.
In game two, Baker was defeated 11-1 in just five innings. The Wildcat offense was not enough to keep up with the powerful Eagle offense, which strung together around 15 hits total. Hannon said a lack of focus on his team’s part helped contribute to the loss.
“We kind of just showed up to the field and expected things to go our way,” he said. “We didn’t take the initiative. They came out to play and swung it very well.”