WARRENSBURG, Mo. (March 12, 2021) - The rain and cold weather didn't cool off the Mules bats Friday morning and early afternoon. UCM completed a three-game sweep of Fort Hays State, winning the series finale 16-4.

How it Happened
• The Mules scored 16 runs on 12 hits. Ten of the 12 hits were singles as the Mules played small ball, moving runners up and scoring with outs. 
• UCM didn't let the wet track slow them down either, stealing six bases and they continually applied pressure to the Tigers.
• Fort Hays hitters struck out 11 times in 27 at bats while UCM fanned just once in 27. The Tigers also issued eight walks as the Mules had runners on base in every inning. 
• It was the Tigers who got the scoring started with a two-out, two-run homer in the first. The second time in three games the Tigers scored in the first.
• The Mules responded with a four-run first. They scored four runs on just two hits, neither of which reached the outfield. Infield singles by Cole Taylor and Isaiah Pani and a bases loaded walk to Micah Evans put the Mules in front 4-2.
• After a scoreless second, Hays tied the game with their second two-run homer of the morning. 
• Central Missouri again responded right away scoring twice in the bottom of the inning. Alex Madera doubled home Cole Taylor and Pani brought in Madera with a ground ball.
• The Mules scored in each of their final four trips to the plate. In the fourth, Harrison Schnurbusch came up with the bases loaded and drove in two with a double down the left field line. Evans added a third run on a ground out for a 9-4 Mules lead.
• That was the score when the skies opened up. The game went into a rain delay with two outs in the top of the fifth. When the game resumed, Tyler Kuhlmann finished the inning. When UCM came back to the plate, they added another two runs on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch and the Mules went out in front 11-4.
• The Mules kept their foot on the gas scoring five in the six. Garrett Pennington the only RBI hit to the outfield in the inning. Schumacher and Dusty Stroup each hit sacrifice flies, Micah Evans drove in a run with a ground out and an error in the outfield allowed Pani to score.
• Ethan Peterson pitched a scoreless seventh to end the game.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Cole Taylor finished 3-4 and scored three runs. He also stole a pair of bases. 
• Dusty Stroup and Josh Schumacher each picked up two hits. Schumacher scored three times and Stroup stole a bag.
• Harrison Schnurbusch drove in three runs.
• Micah Evans didn't pick up a hit, but drove in three runs and stole a base. 
• Conor Dryer started and allowed four runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings.
• Hunter Little let up just a hit in 2.1 innings of relief.

For the Tigers
• Cole Zimmerman started and gave up four runs on one hit with four walks in two-thirds of an inning.
• Corbin Truslow had two hits including a home run and drove in two.
• Grant Schmidt homered and had two RBI.
• Kade Wallace had a hit and scored two runs.

News and Notes
• The game featured an hour and 15 minute long rain delay in the top of the fifth inning.
• Central Missouri's bullpen didn't allow a run in 13 innings of work.
• The 16 runs scored are the most in a game for UCM this season.
• The Mules are currently on a season-long seven game winning streak.
• UCM went 6-0 on their home stand sweeping Newman and Rogers State.

Up Next
• The Mules will hit the road for a three-game set with Emporia State next weekend starting Friday, March 17.