WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 24, 2017) -- Central Missouri scored four runs in the first two innings and the right arm of Taylor Burns made it stand up as the third-ranked Mules beat Fort Hays State 5-2 on a cold, blustery day at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.

The Mules (9-2, 2-0 MIAA) struck first in the bottom of the first when Erik Webb singled home Travis Stroup for a 1-0 lead. The lead grew to 4-0 in the second when Jackson Schnurbusch cleared the bases with a three-run double to right center field.

The Mules tacked on another run in the seventh when Stroup led off with a triple and on scored on Matt Safranek's fielder's choice. Miles Orschlen's hustle from first to second to beat the throw on a ground ball prevented the third out of the inning and allowed the run to score.

That was more than enough for Taylor Burns (2-0) who tossed seven shutout innings in his first start of the season. He allowed just three hits while striking out six.

The Tigers (6-6, 0-2 MIAA) plated single runs in the eighth and the ninth inning to pull within 5-2, but Tayler Ross recorded the final four outs of the game for his first save of the season.

Justin Graff-Rowe and Collin Nevil had two hits apiece for the Mules while Schnurbusch drove in three with Webb and Safranek each driving in one.

The Mules will go for the series sweep and their seventh straight win on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.