WARRENSBURG, Mo. – No. 16-ranked University of Central Missouri Mules Baseball scored eight combined runs in the seventh and eighth innings to rally from a 2-0 deficit and defeat the Drury Panthers, 8-2, in a midweek non-conference game on Tuesday, April 7, at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.
The Mules (26-8, 16-6 MIAA) are scheduled to travel to Hays, Kan., for a three-game MIAA series at Fort Hays State (11-24, 8-17 MIAA) April 10-12.
Drury starting pitcher Markell Dixon held the Mules to zero hits in the game until
Cole Funkhouser broke through with an RBI double to left field that scored
Will Godfrey with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning for UCM's opening run of the game.
Cole Kreisel followed Funkhouser with a two-run double to centerfield, driving in
Chase Wilcox and Funkhouser to put the Mules in front, 3-2.
Ryker Edwards made it 4-2 in the inning, plating Kreisel on an RBI single through the right side.
UCM kept its foot on the gas in the eighth inning, scoring an additional four runs on a pair of bases-loaded walks and a two-RBI single from Kreisel, sealing the comeback, six-run victory.
Kreisel went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI, and Funkhouser was 1-for-3 with a double and two runs driven in, leading Central Missouri offensively.
UCM relief pitcher
Carson Cooper (1-0) earned the victory on the mound, giving up zero earned runs on just one hit with one strikeout in an inning.
Despite allowing no hits through 6 2/3 innings, Drury's Dixon (0-4) suffered the setback on the rubber after surrendering three earned runs on one hit with five strikeouts and six walks.
For the game, the Mules outhit the Panthers (20-14), 6-5.
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