The Baker University baseball team dropped its conference-opening doubleheader 2-1 and 3-1 to Central Methodist University Friday at Sauder Field.

The Wildcat’s RBI leader, senior Justin Lane, provided an early spark for Baker as his single to right-center field sent home fellow senior Josh Zach. Junior pitcher Jimmy Gricol helped Baker hold on to its lead as he allowed the Eagles to record just one hit through the first four innings. However, CMU’s bats came alive in the top of the fifth.

A sacrifice fly by Mike Allen would tie the game at 1-1, then during the next play Neil Hansen’s RBI single would give the Eagles a 2-1 advantage.

Baker threatened with two runners on in the bottom of the seventh but could not push either Wildcat across.

Both teams were held scoreless in the first three innings of game two, but Central Methodist would rattle off a pair runs from the arm of sophomore Caleb Lee in the top of the fourth.

The Wildcats battled back in the next inning as senior Bryan Kindle’s single sent home junior Brett Leichien. Baker would have additional chances during the nine-inning game, but the team was shut out of the remaining four innings. The Eagles, however, would tack on one more run in the top of the eighth behind an RBI single from Jesse Zellner.

The losses dropped Baker to 1-15 on the season and 0-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

During their non-conference schedule, the Wildcats were also swept by No. 23 Doane College and No. 15 Sterling College.

In their four-game series with Doane March 7-8, the Wildcats fell 3-1, 13-1, 6-0 and 1-0. BU would attempt to bounce back three days later but dropped its doubleheader with Sterling 2-1 and 7-6.

The Wildcats were scheduled to play Park University Sunday but the doubleheader was postponed due to inclement weather. BU will continue its conference schedule against Missouri Valley College Wednesday in Marshall, Mo.