OLATHE, Kan. – The Central Methodist University baseball team dropped two contests at MidAmerica Nazarene University on Saturday afternoon to close out a three-game series.

GAME ONE (Loss 4-1)

The Pioneers earned two runs to open the first frame and take an early lead, extending it to a 3-0 jump with another run in the fifth.

Central Methodist scored their lone run in the top of the sixth after a home run from Z Westley (JR/Midland, Mich.) went over the left field fence on the first pitch. MidAmerica closed the scoring for both sides in the bottom of the inning with a sacrifice fly to deep left, notching a final score of 4-1.

Kyle Fulton (SR/Monroe City, Mo.) took the first loss of his college career on the mound after five innings pitched. He struck out six while giving up nine hits and three earned runs. Turner Middendorf (SR/Topeka, Kan.) made a brief appearance on the rubber, followed by Luke Gray (SO/Fulton, Mo.) in relief for the final inning.

GAME TWO (Lost 6-5)

Central was able to strike first, for the first time of the series, in the top of the second inning. Adrian Martinez (JR/Toa Alta, Puerto Rico) knocked a double down the left field line to get on base and was plated on a single from Riley Richarz (SR/Milwaukee, Wis.) to put the Eagles up 1-0.

MidAmerica responded with a 4-run inning in the third, sparked by a single and a pair of doubles. Richarz earned his second RBI of the game in the fourth inning on a single down the third base line, bringing the squad within two. With two outs in the sixth inning, Westley hit his second home run of the day on a bomb over the left field wall to bring Central within one.

The Pioneers responded with a two-run home run in the seventh inning, extending their lead to three. Richarz earned his third RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly to right field, plating one lone run in the top of the eighth. Sergio Macias (JR/Laredo, Tex.) followed up in the top of the ninth with a homer over the left field fence on a 1-0 count to bring the team within one, but Central was unable to finish the two-out rally attempt.

Peyton Long (JR/Des Moines, Iowa) tossed 6.1 innings on the bump, taking the loss in the contest after giving up six earned runs on seven hits. Long struck out eight in the game. Cody Malan (JR/Springfield, Mo.) came in to close out the game for the final 1.2 innings, striking out two without giving up a hit.

UP NEXT

The Eagles will return to action on April 9 in a non-conference contest against Harris Stowe State University. The single, nine-inning game is set to begin at 7 PM in St. Louis, Mo.