JOPLIN, Mo. (April 7, 2019) - A day after scoring 33 runs, Central Missouri and Missouri Southern decided, that just wasn't enough and found a way to better that by scoring 34 in another slug-fest. This time, it was the Mules turn to mount an improbable comeback as they scored eight runs in the ninth inning and won 18-16, in a game they once trailed by 10 runs. The win gave the Mules a 2-1 series win and puts them at 22-11 this season, 14-7 in the MIAA.
Play-by-Play
• Central Missouri scored in the first three innings.
Erik Webb's sacrifice fly scored
Mason Janvrin in the first and
Micah Evans scored on
Dalton Dull's RBI ground out in the second.
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Michael Sinks picked up his first of seven RBI with a double in the third.
• However, UCM still trailed after three innings, 4-3, as one big swing gave the Lions the lead in the first. The first three batters all reached base and Troy Gagon cleared the bases for MSSU.
• The Lions opened up a 10-run lead, 13-3, with a nine-run fourth inning. Missouri Southern hit three home runs in the inning, including their second grand slam of the day.
• Central Missouri started on the comeback trail right away in the top of the fifth. With two outs,
Harrison Schnurbusch kept the inning alive with a walk and
Michael Sinks hit his first home run. After Evans walked,
Dalton Dull did his best Sinks impression, with a two-run homer of his own making it 13-7.
• Missouri Southern looked to put the game to rest in the sixth, scoring three more runs. A home run and three straight hits put the Lions up, 16-7.
• Just like they scored in the first three innings, the Mules also scored in the last three.
Erik Webb connected for a solo home run leading off the seventh and UCM got two more in the eighth on two-out RBI hits from
Alex Madera and Webb as the Mules now trailed 16-10.
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Luke Lucas shut down the Lions in the seventh and eighth, setting the stage for the Mules eight run ninth.
• UCM hit three home runs in the ninth, starting with Sinks going deep to center on the first pitch he saw.
• Evans,
Zak Whalin and
Cole Taylor all singled as Evans crossed the plate.
Mason Janvrin then drove the first pitch he saw over the fence in left making it a one-run game, 16-15.
• Madera kept the inning going with a double and
Harrison Schnurbusch worked a walk. On a 3-0 count, Sinks took a rip and connected for a three-run home run, his third of the game, second of the inning to put the Mules on top, 18-16.
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Jonathan Sprinkle allowed a baserunner, but worked a scoreless ninth to preserve the win.
Mules Stat Leaders
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Michael Sinks was 4-6 with seven RBI. He hit three home runs, including two in the eight-run ninth inning.
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Alex Madera also collected four hits with an RBI and three runs scored.
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Mason Janvrin was 1-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
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Erik Webb also homered going 2-5 with three RBI and a run.
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Cole Taylor collected three hits and scored two runs.
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Micah Evans reached base four times with two hits and two runs.
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Luke Lucas pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win.
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Jonathan Sprinkle picked up the save with a scoreless ninth.
For the Lions
• Dexter Swims was 4-6 with a home run and four RBI.
• Ryan Hunter was 3-4 with a home run, four RBI and three runs scored.
• Jon Leighton had three hits in four at bats with a home run and two RBI.
• Troy Gagan also drove in four runs with a home run and two hits.
News and Notes
• In the three game series, there were a combined 73 total runs.
• This game featured 12 pitchers after yesterday combined for 16.
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Mason Janvrin upped his reached base streak to 33 games and
Erik Webb 32 games.
• Janvrin entered the series without a home run and hit two this weekend.
• This game featured 11 home runs, six from the Mules.
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Luke Lucas picked up his first win of the season.
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Jonathan Sprinkle's save was his fifth of the season.
• The last time someone hit three home runs in a game for the Mules was Josh Paul, nearly 12 years ago to the day, April 3, 2007 against Truman State.
Up Next
• The Mules have added a game Tuesday, April 9 and will take on Arkansas Tech at 3 p.m.
