WINFIELD, Kan. -- The Bellevue University baseball team fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and never recovered as Southwestern (Kan.) College handed BU an 8-4 loss in the first of a three-game non-conference series with the Moundbuilders at the Broadway Recreation Complex.
With the loss, the Bruins fall to 3-5 on the season. SWC improved to 4-6 overall.
The Moundbuilders got off to a quick start, highlighted by a two-run homer by Angel Velez which gave SWC an early 3-0 advantage.
The Bruins got a run back in the top of the third on Cody Banks' RBI double to left field that scored Payton Higgins from third.
SWC extended the lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run single to center by Donovan McMullen and a run-scoring single to left field by Velez.
BU made it 6-2 in the top of the seventh when Higgins' single to center scored pinch-runner Daniel Teasley.
Once again, the Moundbuilders responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run single to center by Sterling Spurling, to make it 8-2.
The Bruins battled in the top of the ninth with a two-run single to left field by Zach Diehl, to make the final, 8-4.
Jarrett Poh (1-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing nine hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in five innings of work.
Austin Jentzsch (1-1) earned the win in relief, scattering three hits and one walk with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings on the mound.
The two teams will battle each other on Saturday (Feb. 22) in a noon doubleheader at the Broadway Recreation Complex.
