By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

NEW MADRID - Baseball fans were treated to a pitcher's duel on Thursday afternoon when the Bearcats and the Eagles faced off. Both pitchers went the distance for their respective teams, but ultimately the Bearcats came out in top in a 1-0 victory.

Owen Flowers took the start and earned the win for the Bearcats; the senior gave up five hits, but struck out six and issued no walks. The senior right hander stands at 2-1 on the season with a 1.68 ERA.

Jashaun McDaniel took the loss for the Eagles, but gave up just two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters.

Chase Young reached first base on an error with two outs in the first inning; Jordan Miller hit a single to left to advance Young to second base, but Alex Cliff struck out swinging to end the inning. The 'Cats were three up, three down in the second; the Eagles were able to smack two singles off Flowers in the bottom of the second, but were unable to score.

Daniel Fitts stepped to the plate with one out in the top of the third; after working to a full count, the senior left-fielder drove a shot over the right field fence for the Bearcats' lone run of the contest.

"Daniel worked the count to 3-2," head coach Brian Becker said of the hit. "[McDaniel] threw one about belt high and Daniel hammered it."

Flowers struck out the first two batters he faced in the third, gave up a double, but followed up with his fourth strikeout of the game to emerge unscathed. Flowers never faced more than four batters for the rest of the game, including a three up, three down inning in the bottom of the fourth.

The 'Cats got two men on base in the top of the sixth, but were unable to convert. Dowdy reached base on an error in the top of the seventh and was advanced to second base on a sacrifice by Josh Overall. Flowers sent Dowdy to third base after grounding into a fielder's choice, but Logan Northern struck out looking to end the game in a 1-0 Bearcat win.

Fitts and Miller were the only two 'Cats to get a hit during the game; Fitts provided the only run of the day with is solo shot in the third inning, and went 1-3 with 1 RBI and a strikeout. Miller was 1-2 at the plate.

The 'Cats will be back in action on Monday afternoon, when they host the Poplar Bluff Mules. The Mules are 7-2 on the year after dropping a 6-1 decision on the road at Notre Dame on Monday (April 9).

Becker indicated that Potts (2-0, 2.40 ERA) would likely get the start in the 4:00 p.m. contest.

Photo Above:
Owen Flowers threw a complete game shutout against the NMCC Eagles on Thursday afternoon, giving up five hits and no walks while striking out six batters. The senior has a 2-1 record and 1.68 ERA so far this season. (SMT File photo by Andrew Cato)