Bronchos Score Three in 9th to Take Rubber Game

EDMOND, Okla. (March 25, 2018) - No. 3 Central Missouri led for eight innings in game three of their series with Central Oklahoma, but came up short in the end. The Bronchos scored three runs in the ninth to take the win in the game, and the series, 7-6. The loss puts UCM at 21-6 on the year and 12-4 in the MIAA.

Play-by-Play
• The Mules got on the board early with a run in the first. Erik Webb found the gap in right-center for a double, and scored on Travis Able's RBI single down the left field line.
• Trae Smith tied things at one with a home run to lead off the bottom of the second.
• Central Oklahoma led off the third with a double, but one batter later, Mason Janvrin erased him as he was trying to tag-up from second for an outfield assist.
• One half inning later, the Mules broke out scoring three runs. With one out and the bases loaded, Donovan Ditto doubled home Collin Nevil and Justin Graff-Rowe. John Fairchild was thrown out at the plate. One batter later, Ditto scored on Zak Whalin's RBI single, putting the Mules up 4-1.
• Still on top 4-1, the Bronchos threatened in the fifth, loading the bases with nobody out. Mules starter Ben Kelsch started 1-2-3 double play on his final batter of the game to get the first two out. Dimitri Frank entered and after a walk reloaded the bases, got a fly out to Janvrin in center to end the inning unharmed.
• The Mules tacked on runs in the seventh and the ninth. Mason Janvrin scored on a double-play in the seventh, and Nevil added an insurance run in the ninth with an RBI double to left to score Webb.
• Central Oklahoma meanwhile plated a run in both the seventh and eighth innings. An RBI single and a run-scoring wild pitch added to their run count.
• After getting a fly ball to start the bottom of the ninth, the next five batters all reached base for the Bronchos as they scored three runs on four hits. Bryant Klusener got UCO a run closer with an RBI single. Caleb Peters then tripled to drive in the tying run, but Klusener was thrown out at the plate as the winning run. No matter though as one batter later, Justin Brown scored Peters with a single to complete the Bronchos comeback.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Collin Nevil and Erik Webb each had three hits in the game. Webb reached four times with a walk and also scored twice. Nevil scored and drove in a run.
• Donovan Ditto finished 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
• Harrison Schnurbusch and Justin Graff-Rowe also picked up a pair of hits for UCM.
• Zak Whalin was 1-4 with an RBI. 
• Ben Kelsch got the start and gave up one run on six hits in 4.2 innings of work. He struck out two and walked three.
• Coby Seiz struck out three in his lone inning, but did allow an inherited run to score. 

For the Bronchos
• Kyle Miskovsky was 4-4 out of the leadoff spot and scored two runs. He also drew a walk.
• Trae Smith launched a home run and was 1-5.
• Paul Kropf knocked three hits and scored a run.
• Bryant Klusener and T.J. Sparr were each 2-4 with an RBI.
• Josh Rutlund got the win after pitching the ninth for the Bronchos. He allowed a run on two hits and struck out two.
• J.J. Rogers started and lasted 3.2 innings giving up four runs on nine hits with two strikeouts. 

News and Notes
• The loss means UCM drops a series for the first time this season. They had previously won all of their first six series.
• Justin Graff-Rowe picked up career hit No. 100 with a single in the second. 
• The Mules 16 hits are their most in a loss this season. They have collected 10 or more hits in 15 of their 27 games.
• With an infield single in the seventh, Mason Janvrin upped his hitting streak to 16 games. He and Erik Webb each have 16 game reached base streaks goings.
• This is the Mules first loss this season when leading after eight innings. They had won their first 17 such games. They are also now 9-2 when scoring when scoring in the opening inning.

Up Next
• Central Missouri returns home for a single game Tuesday against Southwest Baptist. The evening game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 27.