WARRENSBURG, Mo. (May 29, 2021) - Central Missouri jumped on top of Arkansas Tech scoring the first seven runs helped out by a five-run third inning. UCM held on to take down the Wonder Boys 7-4 and remain unbeaten in the double-elimination Central Region Championship.

How it Happened
• Central Missouri picked up seven runs on 10 hits. The Mules strung hits together as only two of their 10 hits were for extras bases - doubles by Garrett Pennington and Donovan Ditto.
• The Wonder Boys struggled catching the ball. They committed three errors and of their seven runs allowed, two were unearned.
• Both teams worked the strike zone with only two combined walks. Mule pitchers struck out nine ATU hitters.
• The game started off with both teams hitting into a double play in the first inning.
• The Mules got all their scoring done in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings. In the third, UCM plated five runs. Josh Schumacher got it started with an RBI single to bring in Micah Evans. Cole Taylor came in to score on Erik Webb's slow roller to first for a 2-0 lead. Dusty Stroup followed with an RBI single to bring in Schumacher and Garrett Pennington had the biggest hit of the inning, a two-RBI double that landed just inside the left field line bringing home Webb and Alex Madera for a 5-0 Mules lead. 
• UCM tacked on in the fourth and fifth innings. Schumacher again picked up an RBI in the fourth. He drove in Donovan Ditto with a single for a 6-0 Mules lead.
• Ditto was in the middle of the Mules run in the fifth as well. He drove in Dusty Stroup with a double and gave the Mules a commanding 7-0 lead.
• The Wonder Boys tried to climb back in late. Garrett Crews led off the seventh with a solo home run to break the shutout. 
• In the eighth, another solo home run made it 7-2. ATU got closer with a two-out, two-RBI double, but Tyler Kuhlmann ended the eighth with a strikeout to preserve a 7-4 lead.
• Brady Gavin came in and worked a clean ninth as the Mules moved to 2-0 in the regional championship with a 7-4 win.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Collin Jones started for UCM. He went 7.1 innings allowing three runs on five hits while striking out seven.
• Josh Schumacher was 2-5 and drove in a pair of runs.
• Dusty Stroup was 2-4 was a run and an RBI.
• Donovan Ditto picked up a pair of hits including a double and drove in a run.
• Garrett Pennington drove in two with a double.

For the Wonder Boys
• Mason Griffon was the Wonder Boys' most effective pitcher. He threw 4.1 innings out of the bullpen giving up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts.
• Hayes Cox threw two perfect innings in relief.
• Garrett Crews was 3-4 with a home run and two runs scored.
• Gabriel Crews went 1-2 with a homer.
• Josh Detweiler had a two RBI double.

News and Notes
• These two teams met in Houston in the Mules fourth game of the season and it was the same pitching matchup as well. UCM also won that game, 5-3.
• The game started a bit late at 3:45 due to game one going 11 innings.
• Central Missouri was the visiting team playing on their home turf.
• This was the longest start of the season for Collin Jones. He surpassed 200 career innings with the win.
• Micah Evans has now reached base in 39 consecutive games.
• Central Missouri is undefeated this season when scoring six or more runs. They're now 34-0.

Up Next
• The Mules will play the winner of Southern Arkansas and Minnesota State tomorrow at 11 a.m. in a winners bracket game.