Mules Roll Past Cardinals, 14-2

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 27, 2018) - Central Missouri Mules baseball needed just seven innings to defeat William Jewell Tuesday afternoon. The Mules scored 14 runs and knocked 13 as the offense continues to rake. The win is the Mules ninth straight and puts them at 10-2 this season.

Play-by-Play
• It wasn't a very good start for UCM. Starting pitcher Mason Green lasted just one-third of an inning, walking two batters and hitting another. With the bases loaded, Ross Juliana entered and got a force out to cut down a runner at the plate and a ground out to limit the damage to just a single run.
• That proved to be problematic for the Cardinals. Their lead immediately disappeared in the bottom half of the inning. The first four UCM batters all reached base. Justin Graff-Rowe gave the Mules the lead for good with a single through the left side to score two runs. Michael Bainbridge and Cole Hoover also drove in two in the inning and Donovan Ditto the seventh and the Mules were up by six after one inning.
• After a 1-2-3 top half of the inning, Central Missouri added four more in the bottom of the second. RBI singles by Hoover and Cole Taylor sandwich and run-scoring fielder's choice. The Mules fourth run of the frame scored on a Cardinal throwing error.
• The Mules bullpen was solid all afternoon, giving up just one run in 6.2 innings. That run came in the sixth inning on an RBI fielder's choice. Again, the damage could have been worse as the Cardinals loaded the bases with nobody out, but a double-play ended the inning with just the one run crossing the plate.
• UCM got that run back plus two more in the bottom of the inning. Travis Able doubled in Mason Janvrin and later scored on Collin Nevil's double. Nevil then scored on a Elijah Dilday sacrifice fly to cap the scoring.

Mule Stat Leaders
• Five Mules recorded multiple hit games. Cole Hoover was 2-2 with a run scored and three RBI. 
• Collin Nevil finished 2-3 and scored three times while driving in a run.
• Mason Janvrin and Travis Able were each 2-4 with two runs scored. Able also picked up an RBI.
• Michael Bainbridge, starting at DH, went 3-2 with two runs and two RBI.
• Harrison Schnurbusch scored twice and drove in a run.
• Out of the bullpen, Ross Juliana earned the win. He pitched 4.1 innings and gave up no runs and five hits with two stikrouts.
• Stanton Lohrengel pitched the final 2.1 innings and gave up a run on three hits with a strikeout and two walks.

For the Cardinals
• Nate Pecota singled and doubled.
• Ben Pautler was also 2-4 with a run scored.
• Chase Redick drove in a run and was 1-2 on the day.
• Austin Kline picked up the other WJC RBI.
• The Cardinals threw five pitchers and four gave up runs. Jacob Compton was the most effective, pitching the final inning and allowing just a walk with strikeouts.

News and Notes
• Central Missouri has now won nine straight games, matching their longest winning streak from a year ago.
• The Mules went 10-0 on their homestand, which is scheduled to be their longest of the season.
• Over the last two days, UCM has scored 29 runs on 29 hits.
• Collin Nevil upped his hitting streak to seven games. He also has multiple hits in seven out of 12 games. 
• Eight of the nine Mules starters picked up at least one hit and seven scored a run. 

Up Next
• The Mules will continue MIAA play and take their show on the road. The Mules head to Topeka, Kan. to open a three game set with Washburn this weekend. First pitch of game one is scheduled for Friday, March 3, at 3 p.m.