�Game Notes

FAYETTE, Mo. - Central Methodist looks to clinch its first Heart of America Athletic Conference Eastern Division title in a four-game series at Evangel (Mo.) on Friday and Saturday. First pitch on each day is set for 1 p.m. CT.

All games can be followed live online at cmueagles.com.

Games #27-30/CENTRAL METHODIST (19-7, 15-3 HAAC) at EVANGEL (28-13, 13-5 HAAC)
Friday, April 19-Saturday, April 20 - 1 p.m. CT
Springfield, Mo. - Crusader Field
Live Stats:�cmueagles.com
Twitter Updates:�@cmueagles

Series Information:
Streak: Central Methodist has won four straight games between the two teams and eight of the last nine. The Eagles have won five straight contests at Evangel.

About Central Methodist:
Central Methodist enters this weekend's four-game series with a 19-7 overall record and 15-3 mark in HAAC play. The Eagles, who have won nine straight games, are 9-1 in their last 10 and in first place overall in the HAAC by two games.

The team ranks ninth in the NAIA in Home Runs per Game (0.654), 24th in Slugging Pct (0.442), 37th in Fielding Pct (0.962) and 41st in Batting Average (0.308).

Central Methodist is 12-3 in away games this season, best in the HAAC, and has won five straight away from Estes Field.

About Evangel:
Evangel enters this weekend's series with a 28-13 overall record and 13-5 mark in HAAC play. The Crusaders have won three straight games and reside in second place in the Eastern Division and overall in the league.

The team ranks fourth in the NAIA in Caught Stealing per Game (0.744), 10th in Total Caught Stealing (29), 18th in Earned Run Average (3.050), 22nd in Opp Batting Average (0.240), 22nd in Steal Attemps per Game (2.692), 30th in Stolen Bases per Game (1.949), 41st in Total Stolen Bases (76), 44th in Errors per Game (1.949) and 45th in Assists per Game (9.974).

Evangel is 10-4 at Crusader Field this season, second best in the HAAC.

Individually in the NAIA:

Jacob Childers Ranks Number 1 in Division I in Fielding Pct (1.000);
Storm Bailey Ranks Number 2 in Division I in Caught Stealing per Game (0.194);
Blake McKnight Ranks Number 3 in Division I in Opp Batting Average (0.145);
Blake McKnight Ranks Number 3 in Division I in Hits Allowed per 9 (4.48);
Blake McKnight Ranks Number 5 in Division I in Wins (9);
Blake McKnight Ranks Number 10 in Division I in Earned Run Average (1.370);
Brandon Cobb Ranks Number 10 in Division I in Caught Stealing per Game (0.176);
Jacob Childers Ranks Number 10 in Division I in Caught Stealing per Game (0.176);
Blake McKnight Ranks Number 17 in Division I in Total Batters Struck Out (70);
Christian Maciel Ranks Number 23 in Division I in Putouts per Game (7.730);
Christian Maciel Ranks Number 26 in Division I in Chances per Game (8.270);
Matt Myers Ranks Number 26 in Division I in Total Innings Pitched (74.000);
Blake McKnight Ranks Number 31 in Division I in Total Innings Pitched (72.100);
Christian Maciel Ranks Number 41 in Division I in Total Putouts (286);
Matt Myers Ranks Number 43 in Division I in Walked Allowed per 9 (1.58);
Blake McKnight Ranks Number 43 in Division I in Total Earned Runs Allowed (11);
Sam Garrison Ranks Number 43 in Division I in Total Earned Runs Allowed (11);
Jacob Garrison Ranks Number 45 in Division I in Assists per Game (2.821);
Christian Maciel Ranks Number 46 in Division I in Total Chances (306);
Jacob Garrison Ranks Number 50 in Division I in Total Assists (110).

Fan Bus

Central Methodist is chartering a bus for dedicated students and fans Saturday to cheer on the Eagles against the Crusaders.

First Place at Stake

First place overall in the HAAC and Eastern Division is up for grabs in this weekend's series. The Crusaders must win three out of four games to be tied with the Eagles heading into the last week of regular-season play. If the Eagles win three games against Evangel, they clinch at least a share of first in the Eastern Division. If the Green and Black sweep the series, they win the East outright.

A Team of Destiny?

Central Methodist is in the midst of its best season since 2004, when the Eagles went 33-15 and set the school record for wins. However, the Eagles have won the Heart of America Athletic Conference only once back in 1975. With a four-game sweep of Evangel on Friday and Saturday, the 38-year drought would be close to done.

The Eagles do not necessarily need a four-game sweep of Evangel to win at least a share of the HAAC, depending on the outcomes of this weekend's Benedictine (Kan.)/Avila (Mo.) four-game series and MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)/Graceland (Iowa) doubleheader.

Eagles Cruising in the HAAC

Central Methodist has swept two-straight four-game series against HAAC opponents Graceland and Missouri Valley.

Eagles' Players Rank in Several NAIA Categories

Kyle Poynter, Daniel Peters and T.J. Singh rank first in Fielding Pct (1.000).

Poynter is 42nd in Home Runs per Game (0.160)

Mike Wagner is fourth in Batters Struck Out per 9 (12.05), 22nd in Fewest Runs Allowed (13), 40th in Fewest Hits Allowed (33) and 43rd in Fewest Earned Runs Allowed (11).

Jesse Zellner ranks 14th in Runs Batted In per Game (1.120) and 42nd in Home Runs per Game (0.160).

Shane Lowe is 22nd in Stolen Bases per Game (0.615) and 43rd in Steal Attemps per Game (0.615).

Tyler Paule is 22nd in Fewest Runs Allowed (13) and 48th in Fewest Hits Allowed (34).

Drew Greiwe ranks 37th in Fewest Hits Allowed per 9 (6.46), 38th in Opp Batting Average (0.205), 40th in Fewest Hits Allowed (33) and 43rd in Innings Pitched per Game (6.571).