MAIZE, Kan. -- After splitting yesterday's double-header the #9 Bellevue University baseball team took Sunday's rubber match, 11-10, to claim a series victory over #16 Tabor in non-conference action at the Maize High School Baseball Field.
With the win Bellevue improves to 3-3 overall while Tabor dips below .500, falling to 5-6.
Kory Longaker was 2-for-4 at the dish and broke an 8-8 tie in the top of the eighth with a go-ahead two-run homer to left field to put Bellevue up 10-8.
After Graham Wiebe doubled in a run in the home half of the eighth, BU's Matt Evans chased in an insurance run with a sac fly to plate Jonah Yang for an 11-9 Bruin lead.
The run turned out to be much needed as Tabor loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth and Wiebe brought home a run with a fielder's choice before Blake Standiford became the third strikeout victim of the inning to end the game.
Jordan Baughman (1-0) picked up his first victory in relief and Max Dwyer (1 Save) earned his first save of the year after getting out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth.
Bryson Casmir (0-1) suffered the loss for Tabor.
BU hit four home runs on the day with Longaker, Hunter Robson, Evans, and Brandon Salmon each sending balls over the fence.
Tabor's Abdiel Alicea hit a pair of home runs, a two-run shot in the second to give Tabor a 3-0 lead and a grand slam in the fifth to put the home-standing Bluejays up 8-6.
In addition to Longaker's multi-hit effort, Salmon had a pair of hits for the Bruins and Yang recorded a three-hit performance.
Bellevue is off until Friday, Feb. 23 when they travel to Joplin, Mo. for a noon twin-bill against #24 Central Methodist University. The Bruins will also play a double-header on Saturday, Feb. 24 against Briar Cliff University at noon in Joplin, Mo.
