Box Score (WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – The second-ranked Central Missouri Mules baseball team won the series finale over Missouri Western 7-2 on Monday afternoon at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field to take three of four in the series.
            The Mules (7-1, 3-1 MIAA) got behind early when the Griffons (5-6, 1-3 MIAA) plated one run in the top of the first. A couple of Mule errors allowed Missouri Western to load the bases with no outs, but UCM was able to limit the damage to only one run.
            Central Missouri took the lead in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs. Chase Graskewicz brought home Albert Selanders with a safety squeeze and reached on the play when the throw went over the first baseman's head. Jon Cotter continued his hot hitting with an RBI single to give the Mules the lead.
            The Griffons tied the game in the fourth on a Kyle Simpson sacrifice fly, but the Mules regained the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Brad Wilson doubled with two outs and Ben Cox drove him home with a single to center field to give UCM a 3-2 lead.
            UCM added another run in the sixth to make it 4-2 when Jordan Coons singled home Bret Schwartz.
            Missouri Western threatened in the eighth inning loading the bases with two outs, but Coons came on to pitch and got pinch hitter Jared Bell to fly out ending the inning.
            The Mules added some cushion in the bottom of the inning with three runs to make it 7-2. Selanders had an RBI single and Wilson drove in two with a single to right to widen the gap to five runs.
            Mules' starter Chris Fitzpatrick (2-0) earned the win after giving up two unearned runs on five hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out five. Travis Unthank tossed 2.2 innings in relief allowing just two hits, while fanning three with one walk. Coons came on for the final inning and a third giving up one hit and striking out two to earn his first save of the season.
            Matt Bergin (0-3) took the loss for Missouri Western in relief. He gave up two runs on four hits in four innings.
            The Mules are back in action this coming weekend at Truman State. The series gets underway on Friday with a single nine-inning game at 3 p.m.