Mules Take Series Opener in Extras

PITTSBURG, Kan. (March 30, 2019) - Central Missouri Mules Baseball got down three runs in the first, but allowed just two more the rest of the way and marched back for a 6-5 win over Pittsburg State in extra innings. The win puts the Mules 10 games over .500 at 19-9 and 11-5 in the MIAA.

Play-by-Play
• It didn't start well for UCM as the Gorillas hung a three-spot in the board in the opening inning. A one-out, bases-loaded double scored the first two runs before a dropped fly ball in the outfield allowed the third runner to cross the plate.
• The Mules responded with a three-run inning of their own their very next turn at bat. The first two batters reached base before Donovan Ditto sacrificed them both into scoring position. A walk loaded the bases and UCM scored three runs without the benefit of a hit.
• Dalton Dull was hit by a pitch with the bags full to score the first run. A fielder's choice made it a 3-2 game and UCM got a little retribution as this time it was PSU who dropped a fly ball that allowed the tying run to score.
• Pittsburg State took the lead right back in the bottom of the second getting a sacrifice fly to make it a 4-3 game.
• UCM tied the game again in the fourth, but could have gotten much more. Mason Janvrin's single up the middle brought in Zak Whalin with the tying run. 
• Central Missouri was still threatening in the fourth with the bases loaded and one out. A strikeout and fly out ended the inning with the game still knotted at four.
• The bottom of the fourth was PSU's turn to leave the bases loaded. After two strikeouts to start the inning, back-to-back singles and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Ben Kelsch got a ground ball though to end the inning.
• Both teams scored a run in the fifth inning. The Mules took a brief lead, 5-4, their first of the game, on Whalin's RBI single to center.
• PSU responded with a two-out single to tie the game once again at five.
• After 10 runs in the first five innings, the bullpens took over throwing four straight shutout innings.
• The Mules though had numerous chances to score off the Gorilla pen. They put the first two batters on base in the eighth, but left them stranded in scoring position.
• One inning later, UCM got a runner on with one out in the ninth, but a 6-4-3 double-play ended the inning.
• Central Missouri finally broke through in the 10th inning. Janvrin led off with a single and stole second. An infield single got him to third and another infield single from Erik Webb brought him in with the go-ahead run.
• Jonathan Sprinkle pitched a perfect 10th to shut the door on the 6-5 win.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Mason Janvrin was 4-5 with two RBI, a run scored and four stolen bases. 
• Zak Whalin reached base three times with a hit and two walks. He scored a pair of runs.
• Micah Evans was 2-5 with two runs scored.
• Alex Madera and Erik Webb were each 2-5 with a double and a walk.
• Ben Kelsch got the start and lasted 4.2 innings allowing five runs on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
• Coby Seiz threw three perfect innings in relief with four strikeouts.
• Jonathan Sprinkle struck out two in his 1-2-3 10th inning.

For the Gorillas
• Ty Herrenbruck drove in two runs.
• Alex Achtermann was 2-4 with a run and an RBI.
• Tyson Cushman collected two hits in five at bats with an RBI.
• Brad Kinsey started and threw the first 4.1 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
• Justin Root threw 2.2 scoreless innings in relief.
• Connor Lungwitz suffered the loss throwing three innings and allowing one run on five hits.

News and Notes
• This was just the second extra-inning game for the Mules this season who are now 2-0 playing more than nine frames.
• Luke Lucas made his season debut throwing 1.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit.
• Both the Mules seven stolen bases and Mason Janvrin's four are a season-best.
• Janvrin has reached base in all 28 games played this season.
• Erik Webb extended his hitting streak to 27 games. 
• The team's combined for 26 runners left on base. UCM's 14 are a season-high.
• Jonathan Sprinkle's save was his third of the season.
• Ben Kelsch surpassed 150 career innings pitched.

Up Next
• Game two of the series is tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. in Pittsburg, Kan.