TOPEKA, Kan. (March 1, 2020) - The Buena Vista baseball team looked to remain perfect on the year when it took the field at the Bettis Sports Complex on Sunday morning, but the Beavers couldn't hold onto a late lead in either contest as the Pioneers escaped with 7-6 (8 inn.) and 6-5 victories, respectively.

BVU led 6-4 heading to the seventh inning in the opener, but Grinnell managed to push across a pair of runs against closer Gage Smart, including the tying run with two outs, to force extra-innings.  An inning later, the Pioneers plated the game-winning run with two outs on an infield hit.

After trailing 3-0 thru the first three innings, the Beavers were able to claw back and tie things at 3-3 in the fifth after an RBI single from Joe Rock and a run-scoring triple from Nick Henrichs.  Grinnell regained the lead in the home half at 4-3, but BVU was able to respond late with three runs in the seventh, including a sacrifice fly from Henrichs which put the team in front.  Tyler Tennyson later extended the lead to 6-4 after crossing on wild pitch.

Grinnell, however, got a pair of RBI singles to center in the bottom half of the inning to tie things before ending BVU's five-game win streak with a tough infield single in the eighth.

Seniors Bryce Rheault and Joe Rock each had two hits at the top of the Beaver line-up as the rest of the team had just three.  Smart suffered his first loss of the year after being charged with three runs and four hits over 2.2 innings of work.  He did pick up three strikeouts despite walking two.  Casey Hendricks got the start and had a no-decision after working the first 2.2 innings

The Beavers held a 5-1 lead going into the sixth inning of the finale before the Pioneers erupted for five runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to take their first lead since going in front 1-0.  

Henrichs tied things at 1-1 in the second with his second home run of the season before Coleman Roberts put the team in front with a hard hit ball past the shortstop in the third.  The first five batters reached for Grinnell in the sixth as they finished the frame with the five runs on five hits and also left two on base.

The Beavers got the potential tying run to second base with only one out in the seventh but Grinnell got a pair of strikeouts to finish the game and complete the doubleheader sweep and even its season record at 2-2.

Henrichs finished with a team-leading two hits in the game as BVU again had seven hits overall.  Junior Michael Demers, who just wrapped up his basketball season earlier in the week, joined the team for the weekend trip and made his collegiate debut on the mound.  He pitched the first four innings, allowed just one run and six hits while striking out three.  Austin Scott suffered the loss in relief, allowing a run and two hits in an inning of work.

Buena Vista dips to 5-2 overall and will now be off until March 12 when it plays the first of seven games during its week-long spring break trip to Tucson, Ariz.  The Beavers will play Wabash at 7 p.m.