WARRENSBURG, Mo. (May 6, 2017) -- The Mules jumped out to an early lead, fell behind midway through the game, but rallied to beat Washburn 10-5 on Saturday afternoon at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field. The Mules have won the first two games of the series and now stand at 32-15 overall and 23-12 in MIAA play.
For the second straight day
Erik Webb got the Mules started when he homered to left field in the bottom of the first.
Justin Graff-Rowe added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to give UCM a 2-0 lead.
The lead grew to 4-0 in the third thanks to a Washburn throwing error. The Mules had the bases loaded with two outs when the Ichabods (20-28, 11-24 MIAA) tried a pickoff at first base. The throw got away into foul territory allowing two runs to score.
Washburn came storming back in the fifth, scoring five times to take a 5-4 lead. Darian Abram doubled with the bases loaded to plate the first two runs and Bowe Behymer hit a three-run home run to put WU in front.
The Mules rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, however, and regained the lead at 7-5.
Matt Safranek drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the tying run. He fell behind in the count 1-2, but fouled off five pitches before drawing the walk to tie the game.
Travis Able singled off the glove of a Washburn infielder on the left side allowing two runs to score and put UCM back in front.
The Mules added three insurance runs in the eighth inning to open up a 10-5 lead.
Matt Elliott hit a ground rule double to center field with the bases loaded to plate two runs and
Jackson Schnurbusch added an RBI infield single as well.
Starter
Steven D'Amico (7-1) picked up the win after allowing five runs on seven hits over six innings. He walked only two and struck out five.
Brandon Reid pitched the final three innings, allowing just one walk and striking out two to pick up his first save of the season.
Maustin Otterstatter (1-2) took the loss for Washburn after giving up three runs on one hit in 1.1 innings of relief.
The series, and regular season, wraps up on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.