WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Mules used a trio of triples to top No. 11 Emporia State, 7-5 Sunday afternoon at home.
Central Missouri got on the scoreboard in the first inning when
Jake Alexander brought home
Matt Elliott on a single to right field.
The Hornets responded in the top of the fourth inning with a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. The Mules retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run home run by
Derek Cornell, his fourth of the year. The Mules added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh when the Hornet pitcher walked
Cole Distler, bringing home Elliott.
Emporia State took a 5-4 lead with a three-run eighth inning. Central Missouri retook the lead for good in the bottom half of the inning.
Jackson Schnurbusch singled to center field to start the inning. Elliot hit his second triple of the game later in the inning to score Schnurbusch to tie the game at five.
Dylan Farrell followed Elliot's hit with a single of his own, scoring Elliot to take a 6-5 lead. The Mules added another run later in the inning to take a 7-5 lead into the ninth inning.
In the bottom of the ninth,
Grant Gavin struck out one and forced two groundouts to seal the victory. The win moves Gavin to 2-2 on the season.
The Mules improve to 22-9 overall and 20-4 in the MIAA with the win, while Emporia State falls to 26-9 overall and 18-6 in the MIAA.
The Mules will be back in action Wednesday at 6 p.m. at home against Southwest Baptist.
