Joplin, Mo. - Pitcher #Robbie Gordon# started the 2016 season opener for the Maryville baseball team and threw 5-1/3 innings and picked up the win in Friday for the Saints (1-0) as they defeated Lincoln 9-4. The game was played in Joplin, Mo.

After falling behind 1-0 the Saints offense quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the first as back-to-back singles from Tyler Omlid and Troy Payton started the Saints offense. Sean Murphy would pick up the RBIs as his single gave the Saints an early 2-1 lead. Maryville would extend the lead in the bottom of the third. After a Lincoln error and a Murphy double, Dalton Schumer drove a 1-2 pitch to left center field for his first home run of the season. The Saints' lead would grow to 6-1 after three innings.

Lincoln cut the lead to 6-3 before the Saints would add two more runs in the fifth as Tyler Catlett singled bringing home Taylor who doubled earlier in the inning. Maryville would add a run in the eight on a sac fly from Taylor. Lincoln responded with one run in the top of the ninth for the final 9-4 score.

Gordon finished the day with eight strikeouts and one walk while giving up just five hits. Justin Lafluer, Cody Klotz, and Jake Carlson combined to throw 3-2/3 innings out of the pen allowing three hits on the day. Offensively Omlid finished with three hits and two RBIs, while Schumer and Murphy drove in two runs apiece. Ten of the 11 Saints who saw at bats in today's game recorded a hit as the Saints collected 13 hits overall. The Saints and Blue Tigers will be back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader starting at Noon.