By Zach Dobbs

FORT SCOTT, Kan. - Defensive struggles proved costly tonight in a matchup across state borders.

Cardinals Baseball faced off against the Fort Scott Tigers in their 5th straight road game. The Cardinals aimed to secure a victory but fell short against the Tigers.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 3rd inning, when Fort Scotts' Spencer Goldston hit a grounder to right field, allowing Cedrick Martin to score the first run of the game.

The Cardinals faced difficulties in the inning, as an error by Drew Vonder Haar led to Chayden Clayton extending the Tigers' lead to 3.

However, the Cardinals fought back when Vonder Haar hit a powerful shot to left field, enabling Andrew Young to score and reducing the Tigers' lead to 2. 

Christian Brock's pop-up allowed Vonder Haar to bring in another run, narrowing the gap to just one point.

Despite the Cardinals' efforts, the Tigers pulled ahead in the fifth inning when Lennox Vann hit a strong ball to right field, resulting in Dub Chapman scoring.

Kanin Brown's line drive allowed Clayton and Vann to score, further extending the Tigers' lead.

The Tigers' defense prevented the Cardinals from scoring again, securing a 7-2 victory for Fort Scott.

Cardinals baseball is back at home tomorrow. They face Carthage in a COC battle at 4:30.