Mules Sweep Doubleheader from Wonder Boys

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 8, 2020) - After a one-run loss to Arkansas Tech yesterday, the Mules returned the favor by sweeping a doubleheader from the Wonder Boys Saturday afternoon. The Mules got ahead early in both games and rode their strong pitching to wins. Mules pitchers allowed just four runs in 18 innings to put UCM at 4-2 on the season.

Game 1 - Central Missouri 7, Arkansas Tech 3 (7 innings)
How it Happened
• The Mules made three first-inning runs stand up and added some insurance runs late in the game.
• UCM outhit the Wonder Boys 8-5, despite three of the ATU hits going for extra bases with two home runs.
• Mule pitchers struck out seven while the Wonder Boys fanned just two.
• UCM got the leadoff hitter on in three of their six turns at bat. 
• Arkansas Tech was 0-5 with runners in scoring position.
• The scoring started when Michael Sinks RBI single scored Erik Webb. Harrison Schnurbusch then doubled home two more and it was 3-0 Mules after one.
• The Mules made it 5-0 in the fourth when Josh Schumacher's opposite field double scored Carter Young and Cole Taylor.
• A two-run home run from Josh Detweiler in the sixth made it a 5-2 game. 
• Gaven Strobel responded in the home half of the sixth with a two-run home run of his own as UCM went back on top by five, 7-2.
• The Wonder Boys added a solo homer in the seventh and final inning as the Mules took game one, 7-3.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Jordan Fowler started and got the win throwing five innings and allowing just two hits with four strikeouts.
• Tyler Kuhlmann allowed a run in 1.1 innings with two strikeouts.
• Michael Sinks went 3-2 with an run and an RBI.
• Harrison Schnurbusch and Josh Schumacher each had a hit and two runs batted in.
• Gaven Strobel hit his first home run of the season and drove in two.

For the Wonder Boys
• Josh Detwiler drove in a pair with a two-run home run.
• Tristan Thomas also homered in four trips to the plate.
• Matthew Tieding allowed five runs on six his with three walks in four innings.

Game 2 - Central Missouri 2, Arkansas Tech 1
How it Happened
• Game two featured another strong pitching performance. This time from Collin Jones of the Mules and Hayes Cox of the Wonder Boys.
• Both starters held their opponent scoreless through one turn at bat.
• The Mules again had eight hits and the Wonder Boys just three.
• Neither team committed an error in the field and each team walked just one.
• Michael Sinks again got the scoring started in this one. He led off the fourth with a double and scored on Dusty Stroup's sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.
• That was all the scoring until the seventh. The Mules had a two-out rally in the fifth as three straight reached base, but a fly out left the bases loaded.
• In the seventh, three singles brought in the tying run for Arkansas Tech.
• With the bases loaded, UCM went to their bullpen. Brady Gaven got out of the jam by inducing a pair of fly outs. The second out of the inning came on a 3-0 pitch to Gaven's first batter, but wasn't deep enough to score the runner from third.
• In the bottom of the inning, UCM made the Wonder Boys pay for leaving the bags full. With one out, John Prudhom pinch hit and drove one down the left field line and over the fence for his first home run of the season, putting UCM back on top, 2-1.
• Mule pitcher's set the Wonder Boys down in order in the eighth and ninth and hang on for a 2-1 win.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Collin Jones started and threw the first 6.1 innings. He struck out six and allowed one run on three hits.
• Brady Gaven and Evan Rathburn combined for 2.2 scoreless innings in relief. Rathburn earned his first save of the season while Gaven got the win.
• Josh Schumacher picked up three hits with a triple.
• Michael Sinks went 2-4 with a run scored.
• John Prudhom had the big hit, a solo home run in the seventh.

For the Wonder Boys
• Hayes Cox matched Jones pitching 6.2 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
• Chance Roberts pitched the final 1.1 innings without allowing a base runner.
• Tristan Thomas was 1-4 with a run scored.
• Stormy Taylor had a hit and an RBI. 

News and Notes
• Collin Jones is the first pitcher for UCM to pitch into the sixth inning this season. He's allowed just one run in 9.1 innings.
• Michael Sinks and Josh Schumacher each had four hits in the doubleheader.
• Erik Webb has at least one hit in all six games this season.
• UCM played a clean game in the field and didn't commit an error in either game.
• With runners in scoring position, Arkansas Tech was just 1-10.
• The last Mules pinch-hit home run came Feb. 14, 2019 from Eli Wells against Minnesota-Crookston. 

Up Next
• The series finale with the Wonder Boys starts tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.