JOPLIN, Mo. -- The 12th-ranked Bellevue University baseball team continued their offensive ways but it wasn't enough to complete a sweep of (RV) York College as the Panthers could do no wrong and BU fell, 16-8 to their former MCAC rival on Saturday afternoon.
Matt Evans had the best offensive game for the Bruins, recording a 2-for-3 effort at the dish with a pair of runs scored, including his first career home run. Derik Bontempo (2-for-3, RBI) and Elijah Dickerson (2-for-3, RBI) also had multi-hit games for the Bellevue nine.
The loss was just Bellevue's first in eight outings against teams either nationally ranked or receiving votes. York improves to 7-5 with the win to snap an eight-game skid while the loss was BU's first in seven games as they dip to 7-2 on the year.
The Panthers started their offensive barrage early and didn't relent, scoring in every inning while putting up crooked numbers in five of their six at-bats. By the fifth York had amassed an 8-1 lead and already chased three Bruin pitchers from the hill.
The Bruins attempted a comeback, scoring four times in the inning to pull within three runs and temporarily seizing momentum. Any momentum gained was short-lived as York out-scored BU 8-1 over the next inning and a half to re-establish a commanding lead at 16-6. Bellevue added a couple more in the seventh to account for the final margin.
Tony Monroy (0-1) took the loss for the Bruins while Corey Mixon was credited with the victory for the Panthers.
Bellevue wraps up their weekend trip with a 2:30 p.m. game against Saint Mary (Kan.).
