Ninth-Inning Homer Takes Down Mules in Season Opener

HOUSTON, Texas (Jan. 31, 2020) - Central Missouri opened their season with a thrilling game against Flagler College at the Houston Winter Invitational at Minute Maid Park. The low-scoring game was tied at two in the ninth when the Saints pushed two runs across to take the lead and the game, 4-2.

How it Happened
• The Mules outhit the Saints 8-6, but left nine runners on base to Flagler's four.
• UCM also committed two errors in the field allowing an unearned run to score.
• UCM pitchers struck out 12 Saints.
• The scoring started for the Mules in the first. With the bases loaded and two outs, Erik Webb broke for home once a pitch got away from the catcher for a 1-0 Mules lead.
• Mason Green made that run stand up until the fifth when a leadoff error eventually came back to bite the Mules as the Saints tied the game on an unearned run.
• The Mules had chances for more in the second after Cole Taylor led off with a triple and in the seventh when they loaded the bases, but couldn't find a way to bring a run across.
• Flagler took the lead in the sixth. UCM was fortunate only one run scored in the inning after the Saints loaded the bases with nobody out. The Mules cut down two runners at the plate, but a run-scoring single put Flager ahead 2-1.
• UCM was finally able to cash in in the eighth. John Prudhom pinch hit and led off the inning with a single. He moved to third and with one out, scored on a comebacker to the pitcher off the bat of Dusty Stroup. Prudhom was able to get under the tag to tie the game at two.
• Stroup made it all the way to third on a wild pitch with one out. But a line out and a pop up stranded him there.
• Tied at two in the ninth, Flagler led off with the single. Two batters later and the runner was still at first with two outs when on an 0-2 pitch John Fiorenza hit one over the fence in left for a two-run home run and a 4-2 Saints lead.
• Brennan van Breusegen pinch hit to lead off the bottom half of ninth for the Mules and reached with a single, but he was doubled off first base for the final out after Josh Schumacher's sinking line drive was caught in left field. 

Mules Stat Leaders
• Mason Green started and threw the first five innings. He allowed one unearned run on one hit while striking out eight.
• Conor Dryer was the first out of the bullpen and allowed a run in 2.2 innings with three strikeouts.
• Erik Webb finished 2-5 with a run scored and a double.
• Josh Schumacher also collected two hits in four at bats.
• John Prudhom pinch hit and scored.
• Cole Taylor tripled.
• Dusty Stroup singled and drove in a run.

For the Saints
• John Fiorenza had the big hit, a two-run home run in the ninth. He finished 2-4 with 3 RBI.
• Sean Lawlor had two hits and scored twice.
• Aaron Anderson picked up a hit and an RBI.
• Nathan Henderson started and allowed one run in four innings with six strikeouts.
• Ethan Jones threw 3.2 innings in relief allowing one run.
• Zach Audit got the win throwing the final 1.1 innings allowing just one hit.

News and Notes
• The Mules have dropped their season opener in back-to-back seasons.
• Brennan van Breusegen and Dusty Stroup picked up their first hits as Mules.  
• This was the Mules first ever meeting with Flagler. They are now 0-1.
• Mason Green has surpassed 100 career strikeouts. 

Up Next
• The Mules will take on Millersville who defeated Arkansas Tech in their season opener tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.