WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The No. 4-ranked University of Central Missouri Mules Baseball team defeated the Newman Jets, 16-11, in a high-scoring MIAA series opener on Friday afternoon, Feb. 27, at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.
The Mules (13-2, 4-0 MIAA) and Jets (3-12, 1-4 MIAA) will wrap up the three-game series with a noon doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 28, in Warrensburg.
Central Missouri led 12-6 before Newman scored a combined five runs in the top of the seventh and eighth innings to trim the UCM lead to just one run, 12-11.
The Mules responded, however, and scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to push their lead to four runs, 16-11, and then kept the Jets off the scoreboard in the top of the ninth, sealing the victory.
Cole Kreisel went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs and an RBI,
Brock Kobel compiled three hits, including a triple, and three runs,
Cole Funkhouser totaled three hits, three runs, and three RBI, and
Collin Dobson had a double, two runs, and an RBI, pacing Central Missouri offensively.
UCM relief pitcher
Blaine Larkin (1-0) earned the win on the mound after throwing a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts.
For the game, the Mules outhit the Jets, 16-7.
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