SEMINOLE -- Oklahoma Baptist opened the 2026 season with a tough 10–1 loss to Missouri Southern State on Sunday at Seminole State College.
The Lions broke a scoreless tie in the third inning when Ben Jones launched a two-run home run to left-center, giving Missouri Southern an early advantage. That swing set the tone for the day as the visitors steadily built separation behind timely power and opportunistic offense.
MSSU added three more runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a solo bomb from Will Doherty and a two-run single up the middle by Jaxon Johnson. The Lions continued to pressure OBU defensively, capitalizing on errors in the seventh and eighth innings to push the lead to double digits. Johnson delivered the biggest blow late with a two-run homer in the seventh, part of his four-RBI afternoon.
Oklahoma Baptist struggled to find rhythm at the plate against a deep Missouri Southern pitching staff. Starter Owen Schneider earned the win after tossing five scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out six. The Lions' bullpen combined to limit the Bison to two hits over the final four innings.
OBU recorded six hits on the day, with
Quinn Johnson and
Braden Smith each collecting two. The Bison finally cracked the scoreboard in the ninth inning when
Matt Marsic connected on a solo home run to left field, accounting for the lone run.
On the mound,
Kody Bialas took the loss for the Bison after allowing two runs over four innings.
OBU will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they go to Edmond to face Central Oklahoma. First pitch at Wendell Simmons Field is set for 2 p.m.
