The fourth-ranked Mules struggled offensively early on and couldn't rally late falling to the Lions of Lindenwood 7-5 on Thursday night at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field. The Mules, who got down 4-0 and were held hitless through the first 4.1 innings, had their 12-game winning streak snapped with the setback..

Lindenwood (19-16) got on the board with a single run in the first on an RBI single by Ryan Light. The Mules had runners at first and second with one out in the bottom half but the inning ended on a double play.

The Lions scored three more in the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead. Mike Wilson tripled to lead off the inning and scored one pitch later on a wild pitch. Zach Kurzejeski brought the other two runs home with a single up the middle.

The Mules (29-6) broke up the no-hitter and the shutout in the fifth. Ben Cox walked to lead off the inning and scored two batters later on the first hit of the game, a triple to deep left center by Kyle Grieshaber. A single from Jon Cotter to left passed a drawn in infield brought home Grieshaber to make it 4-2. Gabe Thibodeau doubled to score Cotter, but was thrown out on a close play at third and the Mules trailed 4-3.

Lindenwood plated two more runs in the seventh on Wilson's triple to left and one more in the eighth on Wade Rothermich's single to right.

The Mules loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth, but could only get two runs to pull within 7-5. Thibodeau scored on a double play ball and Bret Schwartz scored on a double from Albert Selanders .

UCM went 1-2-3 in the ninth inning to suffer just the second home loss of the season and snap a 12-game winning streak.

Kurtis Schuyler (5-2) took the loss for Central Missouri after giving up four runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings. Adam Maddox gave up two runs on four hits in 3.1 innings of relief and Dane Krone allowed a run on two hits in 2.1 innings of work.

Zac Pearman (5-4) earned the win for the Lions after giving up five runs on six hits in seven innings. Ryan Griffin allowed just two hits over the final two innings to earn the save.

The series continues on Friday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The start time is being pushed back one hour from its originally scheduled time of 12 p.m. More Info »