The Drury Baseball team faced Missouri State on September 23 in the meeting of the ‘Battle For Bell’. The two schools took to Hammons Field in an electric atmosphere. Hundreds of people showed up to watch some good baseball. The fans indeed got a show as the game went down to the wire. It was all in good fun and for a wonderful cause. The ‘Battle For Bell’ is a yearly contest that helps raise awareness for ALS. It is something that Drury’s first baseman Nikko Calabro, has loved to take part in over his time at Drury. Calabro says that playing for a good cause is to play for, “Something bigger than yourself. Whether that be your teammates, your family, God or whatever else you deem most valuable to you”.

Calabro certainly played inspired, as he went 1 for 3 with a walk and a moonshot home run. The Panthers went back and forth with the Bears until the eighth inning when they were able to tie things up. Calabro described the turning point in the contest as, “When we tied it up in the 8th. Brant bunted home a run and that was huge for our team morale at the time”. Missouri State ultimately pulled away with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth. However, it was an impressive display from all the Panther players.

There was plenty to be proud of and to build on after the game. The Panthers looked impressive and are ready to carry momentum into their fall season. Calabro reflected on what he learned about this group of players after the game. Calabro remarked, “Like countless other times, baseball games have taught me that anyone can win at any time and to never give up because you never know when things might go your way. It didn’t happen for us tonight but I’ve got no doubts it will in the future”.