THE LEAD
DBU lost to Missouri State 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at Horner Ballpark in the finale of the weekend series. Shortstop Camden Duzenack went 2-for-4 with an RBI, but it was not enough for the Patriots, who rallied for three runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
 
Jake Fromson (5-1) earned the win after tossing seven innings of one-run baseball and striking out eight Patriots. Starting pitcher Jordan Martinson (2-2) gave up four runs on four hits in 3.1 innings of work and suffered the loss. Bryan Young (9) picked up the save with 1.2 innings of no-hit relief.
 
For the third time in the series, the Bears scored first, this time on a two-run homerun to left by Spencer Johnson. Missouri State extended the lead to 3-0 in the second inning after Blake Graham's solo shot. With the bases loaded in the fourth inning, Justin Paulsen singled through the hole between first and second to knock in Eduardo Castro and extend the lead to 4-0. The Patriots turned a routine 4-6-3 double play to escape the jam and limit the damage.
 
DBU threatened in the fourth inning after a two-out double by second baseman Trooper Reynolds put two runners in scoring position, but catcher Matt Duce struck out to end the inning. The Patriots got on the board in the bottom of the seventh on a RBI single by Duzenack.
 
Missouri State regained a four-run advantage in the top of the eighth after Paulsen doubled in Aaron Meyer to make it 5-1. In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Patriots trimmed the Bear lead to 5-3, thanks to a bases-loaded walk of Reynolds and a sac fly by Duce.
 
COACH DAN HEEFNER – ON HOW HE FEELS GOING INTO THE FINAL WEEK OF THE SEASON
"I feel good about where we are as we head into the last week of the regular season.  We're healthy right now and our guys know their roles."
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
 - DBU finished the season with a 10-2 record at home in Missouri Valley Conference play.
 - Sean Stutzman's 4.1 innings of relief marked his longest outing of the season.
 - The Patriots' pitching staff held the Bears to 2-for-10 hitting with runners in scoring position.
 
IN THE NUMBERS
6 – Camden Duzenack racked up six RBI over the weekend in his return to the lineup.
8 – Trooper Reynolds has recorded an RBI in eight straight games.
37 – After drawing a walk in the eighth inning, Justin Wall is tied for the conference lead in bases on balls (37).
 
UP NEXT FOR THE PATRIOTS
DBU hosts Abilene Christian in the home finale on Tuesday, May 17, at 6:30 p.m.