WARRENSBURG, Mo. (March 18, 2016) -- The Mules hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the second inning and six extra-base hits in total en route to a 12-5 win over Nebraska-Kearney in the series opener on Friday at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.
The Mules (10-7, 8-2 MIAA) put up five runs in the top of the first, thanks in part to a UNK error.
Matt Elliott walked and
Dylan Farrell singled to move him to third.
Jake Alexander then placed a great bunt single to score Elliott and give UCM a 1-0 lead.
Bennett Oliver then followed it up with a sacrifice bunt, but reached on a throwing error by the pitcher. Farrell and Alexander came around to score and the lead was 3-0.
Derek Cornell walked and following a sac bunt by
Cole Distler,
Matt Safranek ripped a two-run double to center and UCM led 5-0 after one.
In the bottom of the second the Mules again sent nine men to the plate and talled six more runs to open an 11-0 lead. Cornell had the big blow, a grand slam to right field that made it 9-0. Distler followed it up with a solo shot to almost the same spot in right and Safranek hit the very next pitch, also to right, and the Mules were up by 11 runs.
Nebraska-Kearney (10-9, 7-3 MIAA) got on the board in the third with a Shane Stock leadoff home run to right. Kyle Honeycutt added an RBI single later in the inning and it was 11-2 in favor of UCM.
Dallas Schramm and Honeycutt hit back-to-back solo home runs in the fifth inning and the Lopers cut the UCM lead to 11-4. The Mules got a run back in the sixth when Cornell stole home on a double steal to make it 12-4.
The Lopers got an RBI groundout in the ninth from Honeycutt for the 12-5 final.
Tyler House (3-0) picked up the win for Central Missouri after allowing four runs on six hits in five innings of work.
Ross Juliana tossed the final four innings of relief and picked up the first save of his career. He allowed one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
Trey Ertmer (3-2) took the loss for UNK after surrendering 12 runs, eight earned, on 11 hits in five innings.
Cornell finished 1-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored, while Safranek was 2-for-3 with a double, home run and three RBI. Alexander and Farrell also had two hits apiece.
The series continues on Saturday with a 2 p.m. first pitch. The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO and warrensburgradio.com with
Bob Jackson and
Ricky Rivera on the call.
