JOPLIN, Mo. (April 14, 2017)-- Central Missouri put up 12 runs in eight innings to down Missouri Southern with a 12-2 run-rule victory Friday afternoon at Warren Turner Field. The Mules outhit Missouri Southern 17-3 to secure the series win.

The Mules (25-11,16-8 MIAA) got on the board after Erik Webb doubled to right center. After walking Travis Stroup and Justin Graff-Rowe to load the bases Webb scored on a wild pitch to gives the Mules the 1-0 lead.

The Lions (20-20, 12-14 MIAA) tried to answer in the home half of the inning as but left two runners stranded to end the first inning.

The Mules pushed the lead to 2-0 in the second as Jackson Schnurbusch was walked and advanced on singles by John Fairchild and Travis Able, respectively. A sac fly by Webb scored Schnurbusch and Fairchild scored immediately after off an RBI single by Stroup to give the Mules a 3-0 lead.

The Lions put up an unearned run in the home half as Richie Gorski was walked and the help of another walk, a fielder's choice and hit by pitch brought him home.

The Mules went scoreless in the top of the third, but worked a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half to hold a 3-1 lead.

UCM added two runs in the top of the fourth to go up 5-1. Able tripled to left center and scored on a sac fly by Stroup to center field. Webb, who was hit by pitch after Able's triple, advanced to second on Stroup's sac fly, and scored off a RBI double by Collin Nevil.

The Lions continued to struggle offensively as they got one hit on a single from Brett Graham, but Gorski struck out swinging and the Mules forced a double play to end the fourth.

After a scoreless fifth inning by both teams, the Mules added another run in the top of the sixth as Webb tripled to left center and scored on a wild pitch. UCM worked another 1-2-3 inning in the home half and led 6-1 through six frames.

Schnurbusch singled to center field to lead off the seventh inning, stole second and scored on a ground out by Webb. Fairchild added to the lead scoring on a Stroup single to make it 8-1, Mules. UCM worked their third 1-2-3 inning in the home half of the seventh to hold their lead.

The Mules exploded for four runs in the top of the eight as Matt Elliott and Matt Safranek both singled get on base. Elliot scored on a RBI single from Schurbusch. With runners on the corners, Fairchild nailed a homer to left center to give UCM the 12-1 lead.

The Lions scored one run in the home half as Max Hogan scored on a sac fly before the Mules ended the game in eight innings and secured the overall series win.

Steven D'Amico (5-1) picked up the win as he went seven innings for the Mules giving up just three hits, two runs, and struck out eight batters.

Dan Hawk (1-4) took the loss for Missouri Southern as he gave up seven hits and five runs in four innings.

Fairchild finished the game 2-for-4 with a homerun and three RBI. Stroup was 2-for-3 with three RBI as well. Able had three hits and one run, while Webb, Nevil, Safranek, and Schnurbusch each had two hits.

The Mules will look to go for the series sweep on Saturday. The series finale gets underway at 1 p.m. at Warren Turner Field.