JOPLIN, Mo. (April 15, 2017) – Central Missouri out-hit Missouri Southern 8-6, but four of the six hits for the Lions were home runs as they rallied to win the series finale 9-7 on Saturday afternoon. UCM led 7-3 after the top of the sixth before MSSU rallied.
The Mules (25-12, 16-9 MIAA) jumped on the board first on
Travis Stroup's solo home run in the top of the first inning. It was his 10th home run of the season.
The Lions (21-21, 13-15 MIAA) took the lead in the home half of the second inning. Cory Canterbury led off the inning with a home run to tie the game and Joe Paulino's two-run shot gave MSSU a 3-1 lead.
The Mules exploded for six runs in the sixth to take a 7-3 lead.
Justin Graff-Rowe's RBI groundout started the scoring and
Matt Elliott's RBI single tied the game at 3-3. With the bases loaded and two outs a wild pitch on strike three to
Blake Wilfong allowed him to reach first and keep the inning alive, Elliott scored on the play to put UCM in front 4-3.
Travis Able then cleared the bases with a three-run double to right center.
The Lions benefited from a wild pitch on strike three in their half of the sixth to keep the inning alive and Mike Million hit a two-run home run to pull MSSU within 7-5. Missouri Southern plated two more runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 7-all. The first run came home on a wild pitch and Million added a sacrifice fly after an error to plate an unearned run.
The Lions regained the lead for good, 9-7, in the bottom of the eighth inning on Max Hogan's two-run home run to right field.
Luke Mercer (2-2) took the loss for UCM after giving up three runs on one hit over two innings of relief.
Cody Smith (6-4) tossed 3.1 innings of two-hit relief to earn the win for Missouri Southern. He struck out five.
Able finished the day 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI, while
Collin Nevil had three hits.
The Mules return home to host Southwest Baptist on Tuesday evening in their second of three midweek meetings this year. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.
