A late game rally wasn’t enough for the Northwest Missouri State baseball team falling 11-5 to Lindenwood at GSC Ballpark in the first game of a three-game series.

Northwest falls to 1-8 on the season and 1-4 in league play as the Lions improve to 3-5 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA. The series was originally scheduled to take place in Maryville, but a late week snowstorm pushed the series to the east side of the state.

The Bearcats were forced to use four different pitchers after starter Blane Reutter was chased after five innings. Reutter allowed six runs on eight hits and picked up the loss as Lindenwood held a 6-1 lead when the junior gave way to Pat Brady.

However, the Lions’ bats were not finished, adding three more runs in the sixth paced by a lead-off solo home run.

Trailing 11-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth Northwest would chip away at the lead when Cam Bedard belted a two-run homer.

Northwest threatened to rally again in the ninth when a lead-off single from J.J. Baccari preceded a Eric McGlauflin homer to pull the Bearcats within 11-5. That would be the only offense the Bearcat bats could muster as the Lions’ bullpen shut the door.

McGlauflin paced Northwest going 3-for-4 with three RBIs while Baccari also finished with a multi-hit effort going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Bearcats and Lions return to the diamond Monday for a double-header at GSC Ballpark. First pitch of the twin bill is set for 11 a.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —