KEARNEY, Neb. (March 19, 2017) -- There would be no late inning rally for Nebraska-Kearney in the series as fourth-ranked Central Missouri scored early and often in an 11-0 run-rule win over the Lopers on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Field. The victory gave the Mules a 2-1 edge in the series.
The Mules (17-5, 9-3 MIAA) jumped on top in the first inning on an
Erik Webb solo home run. It was his second in as many games and the start of fantastic day the plate for the freshman designated hitter. Webb continued his damage at the plate in the third when he hit his second home run in as many at-bats, this time a three-run shot, to give the Mules a 4-0 lead over the Lopers (8-14, 1-8 MIAA). The lead grew to 5-0 in the fifth when Webb was able to score from third after
Travis Stroup got caught in a rundown between first and second.
Miles Orscheln got in on the action in the top of the sixth when he belted a two-run shot to left center to give UCM a 7-0 lead. The Mules made it 11-0 in the seventh when
Matt Elliott singled home two runs with the bases loaded and Orscheln followed it up with a two-run double.
The 11 runs was more than enough for
Taylor Burns (3-2) who allowed just three hits and struck out three over a seven-inning complete-game performance. Webb finished the day 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored. Orscheln was 2-for-4 with a double, home run and four runs batted in. Elliott also drove in a pair as the Mules won their fifth straight series to open the season.
Trey Ertmer (1-3) was tagged with the loss after giving up seven runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of work.
The Mules return to action on Tuesday afternoon hosting Lindenwood in the first MIAA midweek game of the season. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field in Warrensburg.
