HAYS, Kan. (March 11, 2018) - For the third straight game, No. 7 Central Missouri Mules Baseball put up at least 10 runs as they swept their MIAA series against Fort Hays State. The Mules downed the Tigers 11-6 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Larks Park to win their sixth straight. Win the win, UCM is now 16-3 overall and 8-1 in MIAA play.

Play-by-Play
• For the third straight game the Mules struck first. Erik Webb and Travis Able got on base with a double and being walked, respectively. Ryan Toliver brought both home with a two RBI double to left center.
• The Tigers (9-11, 1-8 MIAA) tied the game in the bottom of the first with a two run homer from Dayton Pomeroy to left field. 
• UCM wasted little time responding. Harrision Schnurbusch was walked to start the inning and immediately stole second. Payne McCutcheon gave UCM the lead back, 4-2, with a two run home run to right field.
• The Mules held strong on defense holding the Tigers scoreless from the second to the fourth inning. They added a run in the third and the fourth to lead the Tigers by four.
• Run No. 5 came in the third inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, the Tigers gave up the run on a wild pitch allowing Toliver to score before they escaped the jam.
• UCM made it a 6-2 lead thanks to an RBI double down the left field line from Able that brought home Mason Janvrin. Janvrin got on base with a double to center field and got to third on a wild pitch.
• The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring four runs on five hits. It was all the offense they had left as the Mules held them scoreless the rest of the way through.
• Four straight singles help FHSU score it's first run of the fifth. With the bases loaded, FHSU got its next three runs thanks in part to a fielder's choice, a single and a wild pitch in that order.
• The 6-6 tie did not last long as they Mules added two runs in the top of the sixth to go back up by two runs. Janvrin got the first run with an RBI single to right field to score Michael Bainbridge.
• Janvrin got to third on back-to-back wild pitches from FHSU. After the Tigers walked Able, a third wild pitch scored Janvrin and gave the Mules an 8-6 lead.
• UCM added two more insurance runs in the top of the top of the seventh. Janvrin got his second RBI with a single down the right field line to plate home Donovan Ditto. 
• Janvrin then made it home on three straight wild pitches from FHSU to give UCM the final lead at 11-6. 
• Jonathan Sprinkle and Luke Mercer came in the eighth and ninth inning, respectively. They struck out three batters combined, with two ground outs and a fly out to end the game.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Janvrin led the way going 2-3 on the day, with three runs scored and two RBI. 
• Toliver finished 1-3 on the afternoon, with two RBI and a run scored.
• McCutcheon collected one hit in three at bats. His lone hit was good for two RBI and he had a run scored.
• Able went 1-3, with a run scored and an RBI.
• Ross Juliana grabbed the win on the hill to improve to 3-0. He struck out a season-high seven batters in 3.0 innings pitched and allowed just two hits.

For the Tigers
• Pomeroy went 2-4, with three RBI and a run scored to lead FHSU.
• Dawson finished 3-4, with a run scored.
• Clayton Basgall totaled two hits in five at bats and had an RBI.
• Tanner Smith suffered the loss on the hill to fall to 1-3. He allowed four runs, all earned, and one hit, while walking four batters. He also had three wild pitches.

News and Notes
• The Mules are now 38-13 all-time against the Tigers after sweeping the series. Under Kyle Crookes, they are 13-3 now and winners of the last six match-ups.
• UCM 36 runs scored against FHSU are the most runs the team has scored in a three game series against one opponent this season.
• The Mules are 6-1 in their eight game road trip, including winners of six straight.
• UCM has now scored at least 10 runs in eight games this season including four of its last five games.
• The Mules entered the weekend with just two guys with multiple home runs in Collin Nevil and Webb. They now have five as John Fairchild, Janvrin and McCutcheon have all joined the mix. Webb leads the way with five homers.

Up Next
• The Mules wrap up their eight game road trip against in-state foe Rockhurst. The Mules will take on the Hawks Tuesday, March 13, with the opening pitch set for 2 p.m. at Loyola Park in Kansas City.