Box Score (WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – The second-ranked Central Missouri Mules shutout the Rockhurst Hawks 3-0 in a non-conference matchup in front of 1,000 fans on Tuesday night at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.
      The Mules (12-1) plated two first inning runs off of Rockhurst starter Mark Sappington (2-1). Jordan Coons was hit by a pitch to start the two-out rally and later scored on Brad Wilson's RBI single. John Oropeza scored the second run of the inning when he scampered home on a wild pitch.
      Central Missouri plated a single run in the third when Gabe Thibodeau led off with a home run down the left field line to complete the scoring.
      The three runs was more than enough for Mules' starter Chris Fitzpatrick (3-0) who scattered five hits over seven innings. Adam Maddox tossed a scoreless inning of relief and Travis Unthank came on in the ninth to record his third save of the season. The three combined to hold the Hawks (7-4) to six hits on the night.
      Sappington suffered his first loss of the season giving up three runs on five hits in six innings. He had only allowed two runs in 19.0 innings pitched coming into the game.
      The Mules return to action this weekend with a four-game MIAA series at NW Missouri State. The series gets underway on Friday afternoon with a single nine-inning game at 2 p.m.