Vikings split with Jewell

The Missouri Valley College baseball team enjoyed its first three-game win streak of season Wednesday with a 6-2 home decision over Heart of America Conference foe William Jewell.

The Cardinals, with juniors Steve Johnson and Jacob Kraft combining for a two-hit shutout, took the nightcap, 5-0.

Junior Kyle McClellan battled through five tough innings to keep the Vikings in contention in the opener. He was rewarded when Valley, trailing 2-1, scored four runs in the fifth.

Sophomore George Ban kick-started the offense with a lead-off homer, his team-high fourth of the season, with juniors Gage Wollerman and Jay Walkup hitting back-to-back singles.

Sophomore Ian Gray's grounder and singles by juniors Mark Leacox and Wes McCollum each brought in a runner. Junior Casey Cull and senior Joaquin Lopez -- honored as the league's "pitcher of the week" for his one-hit whitewash Sunday of Graceland -- both pitched hitless, scoreless frames.

Jewell (18-7, 6-4 HAAC) got all the runs it needed in the late game on senior Blake Burks' two-run shot in the fourth. Junior Nick Basham added a two-run single in the fifth.

The Vikings (6-19, 4-12) are scheduled to play against Central Methodist this weekend -- Saturday in Fayette and Sunday at Osage Field.