The Baker University baseball team took a break from conference play to travel north and play on a bigger stage at Hoglund Ballpark against the University of Kansas.

Due to rain, the game was reduced to five innings, where the ‘Cats fell to the Jayhawks 16-0. Though the Wildcats played errorless baseball, KU’s offense was too much, as the Jayhawks rallied 11 hits to BU’s one.

Head coach Phil Hannon said the game allowed his team to face tough competition and test its skill level.

“Coach (Ritch) Price is one of my favorite coaches in college baseball,” Hannon said. “He’s such a good host, so we jump at any chance we get to play in a venue like Hoglund.”

Senior Tad Eubanks, who used to play for the KU club team, said the Wildcats need to move on quickly from the loss.

“You just forget about it, that’s the biggest thing,” Eubanks said. “It was one night and we have conference games to think about now.”

On March 19, BU hosted conference opponent Missouri Valley College. The ‘Cats let game one slip away in an extra inning, 5-4. Baker scored a run to tie the game in the sixth, but could not convert in the late innings offensively.

Junior Brandon Truitt led the ‘Cats with two hits and two RBI’s and Eubanks added two hits and an RBI.

Junior Jared Herbert said the team was in the game the whole time, but didn’t capitalize at the plate.

“We got off to a slow start, which we need to find a way to fight that,” Herbert said. “Our pitchers threw well and got us out of situations with runners on.”

The Baker bats rattled in game two, as the ‘Cats bounced back to win 15-5. Senior Nick Peterson spotlighted the game with a grand slam, and finished three-for-four at the plate, scored three runs and totaled an impressive seven RBI’s.

“He was seeing the ball well and getting the barrel on it so, fortunately enough, we had runners on base and he drove them in,” Hannon said.

Herbert also had a hot bat as he went a perfect five-for-five and added three RBI’s and sophomore Steven Stewart added four hits in the contest.

“It was good and was fun for me,” Herbert said. “The guys were laughing at it and everything.”

BU will face Graceland University at 1 p.m. Saturday in Lamoni, Iowa.<br/>