BOLIVAR, Mo. (March 15, 2019) - Central Missouri nearly rallied from down four runs for a comeback win, but the Mules left the go-ahead run in scoring position in the ninth as Southwest Baptist escaped with a 6-5 series opening win Friday afternoon. The loss puts the Mules at 14-8 this season and 6-4 in the MIAA.
Play-by-Play
• The Mules got the first run on the board in just the first two batters of the game.
Mason Janvrin reached on an error, stole second and scored on
Alex Madera's RBI single.
• UCM added another in the third inning on
Michael Sinks's two-out RBI single up the middle in the third.
• The bottom of the inning is when Mules starter
Ben Kelsch ran into trouble. The first three batters all reached base before a run scored on a sacrifice fly. Kelsch got a pop out for out number two before a hit by pitch loaded the bases. With one swing the Bearcats' Jackson Soule unloaded them homering to right and giving SBU a 5-2 lead.
• The Bearcats padded that lead with an unearned run in the fourth which proved to be the difference.
• Central Missouri's bats finally woke back up in the eighth inning. With two outs,
Micah Evans doubled and scored on
Donovan Ditto's RBI single.
• The Mules made it interesting in the ninth. With one out, Janvrin singled before back-to-back doubles from Madera and
Erik Webb made it a one-run game, 6-5. After Schnurbusch walked, Sinks moved the go-ahead run into scoring position with a ground out, but Evans' ground ball to short ended the game and the Mules comeback bid.
Mules Stat Leaders
•
Alex Madera finshed 4-5 with two runs and two RBI.
•
Zak Whalin poked two hits.
•
Mason Janvrin had a hit, two stolen bags and scored twice.
•
Harrison Schnurbusch reached base three times with a hit and two walks.
•
Ben Kelsch started and threw three innings allowing five runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.
•
Bryce Kearns gave up just one unearned run in the final five innings with five punchouts.
For the Bearcats
• Jackson Soule had the big hit, a grand slam, and was 2-3 with a home run, double and four RBI.
• Cory Dudley started and threw the first 7.2 innings giving up three runs (two earned) on 10 hits with one walk and one strikeout.
• Adam White got the final two outs in the ninth for a save.
• Hunter Hisky was 2-4 with an RBI.
News and Notes
•
Erik Webb's double in the ninth extended his hitting streak to 21 games.
• The Mules struck out just one time all afternoon.
• UCM has lost three straight MIAA games.
• Kearns' five innings pitched are a season-high.
• The Mules outhit the Bearcats 13-7, but left 10 runners on base.
Up Next
• Game two of the series with the Bearcats. First pitch from Bolivar tomorrow is set for 1 p.m. Â
