HAYS, Kan. (March 10, 2018) - No. 7 Central Missouri Mules Baseball had another phenomenal day hitting the ball as they claimed their MIAA series against Fort Hays State. The Mules hit six home runs and totaled 13 hits on the day as they defeated the Tigers 12-6 Saturday afternoon at Larks Park. With the win, UCM is now 15-3 overall, 7-1 in the MIAA and winners of its last five.

Play-by-Play
• The Mules once again got on the board first to start the game. A FHSU throwing error brought Travis Able home after he was walked and single by Collin Nevil got him to third base.
• The Tigers (9-10, 1-7 MIAA) tied the game with a solo home run from Cody Starkel to left field.
• FHSU tightened up on defense and held UCM scoreless the next three innings on just one hit and took its first lead of the game.
• Starkel led off with a double to left field and was plated home thanks to a single to left field from Marcus Altman. The Tigers led 2-1 after four innings.
• It did not take long for the Mules to respond as they put five runs on four hits in the top of the fifth inning.
• UCM got the bases loaded with hits from Mason Janvrin and Erik Webb and a hit by pitch on Able. Nevil stepped up to the plate and sent the ball to right center for the grand slam.
• Two batters later John Fairchild joined the home run party with his first of two homers as he sent one past center field. Mules led 6-2 after five innings.
• FHSU once again responded to the Mules, scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning. The combination of a walk, a single, a UCM throwing error and a double help the Tigers cut the Mules lead to 6-4.
• Webb help the Mules get up three runs, 7-4, with a two-out solo home run down the left field line in the sixth. It was his first of two home runs as he sent the ball out of the park on the very first pitch.
• Fairchild's second home run was similar to Webb's in location. The Tigers had two outs when he stepped up to the plate. With a full count, Fairchild smacked the ball to left field to give UCM an 8-4 lead.
• The Tigers still looked to stay in the game as Alex Weiss hit the games third-straight home run to the left side with a solo homer down the left field line. It was 8-5, UCM after seven innings.
• The Mules were not down yet. Back-to-back home runs in the eighth gave them a 10-5 lead.
• Janvrin had the first with an opposite field homer to right field. Webb immediately followed him up with his second solo home run to left field.
• FHSU added its final run of the game with another solo home run, this time from Bryce Baumwart to left center.
• UCM final two runs did not come off home runs. After Fairchild was walked, a Harrison Schnurbusch single and a FHSU throwing error go the two in scoring position. Zak Whalin brought them home with a single up the middle and the Mules held on for the six-run victory.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Nevil led the Mules with four RBI on 2-5 hitting and a run scored. 
• Webb put up three hits on five at bats, with three runs scored and two RBI.
• Fairchild went 2-3, with two RBI and three runs scored.
• Janvrin finished 2-6, with an RBI and two runs scored.
• Dimitri Frank picked up the win on the hill allowing five hits and one earned run in 1.2 innings pitched.
• Bryce Kearns got the save after pitching the final 3.0 innings. He allowed just one run on one hit and struck out four batters. 
• Collin Jones got the start on the hill. He had a game-high six strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched.

For the Tigers
• Starkel led the way going 3-5 on the day with with three RBI and two runs scored.
• Weiss was the only other player with multiple hits as he finished 2-4, with two runs scored and an RBI.
• Altman was 1-4 with an RBI. 
• Addison Kaasch went 1-4, with a run scored.
• Ryan Ruder picked the loss on the mound. He allowed six hits and six runs, five of which were earned, in 4.1 innings pitched. 

News and Notes
• The Mules have claimed every MIAA series they have played in this season so far. 
• The Mules six home runs are the most in a game this season.
• Webb's two home runs now give shim the total team lead with five overall.
• UCM has put up 10-plus runs in back-to-back games the third time this season. In the teams five straight wins, they have scored at least five runs.
• With the win, UCM is now 85-34 in MIAA play under Kyle Crookes.

Up Next
• The series finale. The third and final game between UCM and FHSU will be Sunday afternoon. Opening pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Larks Park.