KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Truman State pitching surrendered just one run in a Saturday sweep of Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Southwest Baptist (Mo.), 2-0 and 7-1.
 
Southpaw Isaac Epp shutout the Bearcats on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in Game 1, while Nick Phillips flirted with a no hitter in Game 2 surrendering a solo home run in the sixth. The shutout was the first for Truman State since a 4-0 blanking of Christian Brothers (Tenn.) on February 12, 2012.
 
"When you locate you get outs and both guys did a great job locating all day," said Bulldog Head Coach Dan Davis. "The one hit he gave up we went to a 3-2 and we're up 7-0 and we're going to challenge him with a fastball middle and the kid put a good swing on it and it's the only time they really touched him."
 
Oliver Degenhardt led off the Truman State fourth in Game 1 with a double, was advanced by Dakota Joggerst, and crossed the plate on an RBI single from Tyler Tieman for the only run Epp needed. A triple from Degenhardt, his first of the season, scored Rawlins Brant in the sixth for the insurance run.
 
The top of the order got Game 2 rolling in the first when Gavin Schieffer hit a two-run jack, the first of his career with the Purple and White. Charlie Berry opened the Bulldog third with a double, led a double steal with Brant, then both scored on a single by Degenhardt. A Schieffer walk, Tommy Krock hit by pitch, and walk from Quinten Bauman brought in the third run of the inning to extend the Truman State lead to 5-0. Schieffer scored his second run of the contest in the fifth when Krock hit the first home run of his career with the 'Dogs.
 
Degenhardt went 5-7 combined with three RBI and a run scored to go with his triple. The sophomore shortstop has eight hits in the series against Southwest Baptist extending a hitting streak to nine games in which he's had multiple hits in seven games.
 
"Oliver has been a good hitter his whole life," Davis said. "He started off slow and struggled early I think he just got above .300 and is a tremendous hitter and a good player."
 
Truman State finishes the day 6-20 overall, 3-8 GLVC, while Southwest Baptist drops to 12-17, 5-6 GLVC. The two finish the season series Sunday at 12 p.m. in Kirksville.
 
"Today was a great day but we have to finish the deal and tomorrow is the big question mark," Davis said. "If we can show up on the mound that'll be the difference. We have a guy throwing tomorrow, Warner Lenahan, who has really good stuff and has a really good arm but command has been an issue for him walking and hitting guys. When he's in the zone he doesn't get hit, but it's whether he's in the zone or not that's going to make the difference. 
 
A series victory against Southwest Baptist would be the first for the Bulldogs since taking two of three against St. Cloud State (Minn.) in Kirksville March 9-10.