COLUMBIA - The third-ranked Bulldogs fell to 0-3 in pool play at the Columbia Tournament after their loss to the Spartans on Friday night.
Defending Class 3 state champion South Callaway (9-6) crafted an early 3-0 edge, but Battle produced a pair of four-run outbursts in the third and fourth innings to go in front 8-3. The Bulldogs added single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh, but the Spartans took command with two runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth.
Junior shortstop Peyton Leeper was 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs batted in, two runs scored and three stolen bases as South Callaway collected nine hits. Senior starter Dylan Lepper went 1-for-1 and scored twice, while senior center fielder Kaden Helsel finished 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Junior Tyklen Salmons threw 1 2/3 innings in relief of Lepper to suffer the loss. Salmons (0-1) surrendered eight earned runs on seven hits, struck out two and walked one.
The Bulldogs faced Blair Oaks in bracket play Saturday afternoon and then played for either fifth or seventh place. Results were not available at press time.