ST. CHARLES, Mo. (May 12, 2016) -- The 12th-ranked Mules scored eight runs in the first two innings and never looked back en route to a 10-3 win over Northwest Missouri in the MIAA Tournament on Thursday afternoon at the Lou Brock Sports Complex.
The Mules (35-12) responded after the Bearcats (24-27) scored three runs in the top of the first. Northwest Missouri got a two-run double off the bat of Kevin Handzlik and an RBI groundout from Jake Lewis to grab the early lead.
UCM wasted no time in responding, as
Matt Elliott hit the third pitch of the bottom of the first over the wall in right for leadoff home run to cut the deficit to 3-1. After back-to-back singles put Mules at the corners with no out,
Bennett Oliver had an RBI fielder's choice to make it 3-2.
Derek Cornell hit a two-run home run just over the wall and inside the foul pole down the left field line to put the Mules in front 4-3. Two pitches later,
Cole Distler hit a line drive home run to right center and UCM led 5-3.
Jake Alexander had an RBI sacrifice bunt in the second to make it 6-3 and
Dylan Farrell scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-3. Distler added an RBI single to make it 8-3.
That lead margin stood until the eighth when Elliott roped a two-run double off the wall in left center to make it 10-3 UCM.
After allowing three first inning runs on three hits, starter
Tyler House (6-2) settled in to a groove. He tossed seven solid innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out seven.
Austin Southmayd tossed the final two innings without allowing a hit to secure the win for the Mules.
Anthony Caenepeel (5-10) took the loss for the Bearcats after allowing five runs on six hits in just one inning of work.
Elliott finished the day 4-for-5 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored. Alexander had three hits, while Cornell and Distler each drove in a pair of runs.
The Mules advance to a winner's bracket game on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. UCM will play the winner of No. 4 seed Missouri Western and fifth-seeded Missouri Southern. The game can be heard live on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 The Bar and warrensburgradio.com with
Bob Jackson and
Ricky Rivera on the call.
