JOPLIN, Mo. (April 2, 2021) - Game one of the top-two teams in the MIAA went to Central Missouri. In a pitcher's duel, the Mules broke open a tie game with three in the ninth, to take game one of the series 5-2 over Missouri Southern.
How it Happened
• Neither team mustered much offense, just five hits apiece. The Mules though had some timely hits, including two home runs, while the Lions only extra-base hit was a double.
• Missouri Southern left six runners on base compared to just two for the Mules.
• Both team's backed up their starters defensively, by not committing an error.
• The matchup of two of the top pitchers in the MIAA lived up to the billing. Zach Parish and
Mason Green went toe-to-toe. Both pitchers allowed runs in the first before settling into a groove. Just two batters into the game,
Erik Webb connected for a solo shot and a 1-0 lead.
• The lead lasted just three batters into the bottom of the inning. MSSU put the first two on and scored on a sacrifice fly and an infield single.
• Central Missouri played long ball again. This time in the third it was
Scott Wolverton leading off the inning with a homer to left to tie the game at two.
• The scored remained that way all the way until the ninth. Just once in the middle innings did either team have as many as two runners on base - Missouri Southern in the sixth after drawing back-to-back two out walks. Green got a fly out to end the inning and his afternoon.
• The Lions pushed starter Zach Parish into the ninth. He faced
Erik Webb leading off and issued a walk before departing. But not after throwing 129 pitches.
• Another walk put two on for the Mules and
Harrison Schnurbusch came up with the big hit. An opposite-field single to score Webb and put the Mules up 3-2. UCM then tacked on scoring two more getting RBI's from
Alex Madera and
Cole Taylor.
•
Evan Rathburn worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn the save.
Mules Stat Leaders
• Green lasted six innings allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts. He did issue five walks, a season-high.
•
Erik Webb stayed hot going 1-3 with a home run and two runs scored.
•
Scott Wolverton went 2-3 with a solo home run.
•
Harrison Schnurbusch and
Cole Taylor each had a hit and an RBI.
•
Chase Plymell got the win in relief working a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts.
For the Lions
• Zach Parish gave it all he had going eight innings and allowing three runs on three hits with 13 strikeouts.
• Jordan Fitzpatrick and Troy Gagen each had a hit and an run scored.
• Tommy Stevenson and Henry Kusiak drove in the two Lion runs.
News and Notes
•
Erik Webb moved to fourth all-time at UCM in runs scored. He's also homered in three straight games.
• The Mules bullpen threw three perfect innings in relief. Hunter Litter,
Chase Plymell and
Evan Rathburn locked down innings 7-9.
• The last time these two teams met in the regular season, it was also in Joplin and it was another big ninth inning for the Mules. They won 18-16 following an eight-run ninth inning.
• UCM runs their winning streak to 14 games, matching their 14-game winning streak to end the shortened 2020 season.
• The 13 strikeouts were the most for a single pitcher against the Mules this season. The 14 strikeouts are the most UCM has struck out in a game.
Up Next
• The Mules and Lions will finish their series with a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon starting at 1 p.m.
