Posted: Mar 17, 2011
Central Methodist took advantage of a pair of errors to score three runs on three hits in the bottom of the third inning of game one. Junior Dustin Ray (Boonville, Mo.) hit a lead-off double in the inning and scored on an error. Senior Tyler Belt (Macon, Mo.) hit an RBI single to left field, then came around to score on a fielder's choice by junior Michael Dowd (Marthasville, Mo.) to give CMU a 3-0 lead. MidAmerica Nazarene scored a run in the top of the fourth to make the score 3-1. In the bottom of the inning, Belt hit a lead-off triple and scored on a one-out single by freshman Brian King (Springfield, Mo.) to give the Eagles a 4-1 lead. In the top of the seventh, MidAmerica Nazarene stormed back with five runs, including one unearned to take a 6-4 lead. Central Methodist got a pair of base runners on in the bottom of the seventh, but a fly-out ended the game as MNU earned the win. Junior Freddie Cabrera (Isabela, Puerto Rico) pitched six innings for CMU, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out five. Sophomore Ryan Revoir (Olathe, Kan.) took the loss for the Eagles, allowing four runs in 1/3 of an inning of work.
In the second game, CMU again scored in the bottom of the third inning, taking a 1-0 lead. Junior Brennen Wood (West Plains, Mo.) hit a lead-off double, and junior Matt Gessner (Lykens, Pa.) followed with a single. Wood scored on an error on the play to give CMU the early lead. The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning when Ray, sophomore Steve Bazner (Waterford, Mich.), and Belt hit three straight singles, allowing Ray to score and give CMU a 2-0 lead. In the top of the seventh inning, MidAmerica Nazarene scored a pair of runs on two hits to tie the game at 2-2. In the bottom of the inning, CMU drew three walks to give the Eagles bases loaded with one out before Bazner hit the game-winning single to give CMU the 3-2 win. Junior Bryan Dominick (Waukesha, Wis.) pitched five scoreless innings for the Eagles, while striking out seven batters. Sophomore Carter DeMay (St. Peters, Mo.) earned the win for the Eagles, as he allowed two runs on two hits in two innings of relief for CMU.
Central Methodist improved to 6-13 on the season and 3-5 in the HAAC, while MidAmerica Nazarene moved to 11-7 overall and 4-2 in conference play after the split. The Eagles return to action Friday in a doubleheader against Robert Morris University (Ill.). The games are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. in Marion, Ill.
