The Culver-Stockton baseball team got a pair of solid starts from its starting pitchers as they split the first two games of a four-game series with Clarke University Monday afternoon at Nichols Field in Canton, Mo.

In the first game, Isaiah Naylor hurled four innings, allowing nine hits and six runs (five earned) while walking two and striking out seven in a 6-5 loss. In the nightcap, Cater Jones pitched six strong innings, scattering four hits ad allowing three runs. Jones walked four and struck out two to earn the victory in a 5-3 decision.

In his victory, Jones gave up a run in the first inning but the Wildcats answered in the bottom of the inning when Jack Linenfelser and Harry Oden each singled with one out. Jeremiah Morris followed with a ringing double into the left field corner to score both runners.

The Pride regained the lead in the fourth inning, plating two runs to take a 3-2 lead. However, the Wildcats came back in the fifth inning to take the lead for good.

Yohander Ubiera began the uprising by being hit by a pitch to lead off the frame. Brandon Diaz Valetin sacrificed Ubiera to second to put the tying run in scoring position.

Linenfelser walked before Oden ripped a single down the right field line to score Ubiera. Linenfelser raced to third but stopped until the throw from the right fielder was bungled by the  first baseman and the ball rolled into the dugout, allowing Linenfelser to score to make 4-3, and Oden to go all the way to third.

Morris followed with sacfice fly to centerfield to score Oden and the Wildcats ended the inning leading 5-3.

Jones allowed a single and hit two batters in the top of the sixth to load the bases; however got Hunter Flores to fly out to center to end the inning.

In the seventh, Jared Marty relieved Jones and quickly recorded two outs before walking the next two batters to put the tying runs on base. However, Marty got pinch hitter Bryn Vantiger to fly out to end the game and pick up his second save.

Morris was 1-for-1 with three runs batted in while Oden went 2-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored.

In the opener, C-SC scored four times on five hits in the first inning to take a 4-1 lead. Clarke added single runs in the second and the third, and three more in the fourth to take a 6-4 lead.

The Wildcats pulled to within 6-5 in the fifth inning after Oden walked, Morris singled and General Schofield doubled to drive in Oden.

After Cooper Kiel lined out to third, Ethan Weber hit a ground ball to short. Clarke's shortstop opted to throw home and cut down Morris at the plate for the second out. Wyatt Wright then hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

The Wildcats put runners on base in the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to get a key hit to bring the tying run home.

Ethan Stephenson, who relieved Naylor, pitched three perfect innings with one strikeout to keep the Wildcats in the game.

Schofield led the offense with three hits and to runs batted in. Morris and Valerntin added two hits each with Morris adding a RBI.

The two teams are slated to conclude the series Tuesday, April 7, with another doubleheader at Nichols Field. Game time is slated for 1 p.m.