FAYETTE, Mo. – After battling through a tough weekend of play on the road, the No. 13 Central Methodist baseball team rebounded on their home turf with a major victory over Missouri Valley College.
The Eagles (25-8, 13-4 Heart) were buoyed by a slew of hits, posting 13 in the contest, and strong pitching from the mound. Julio Canales (JR/Canovanas, Puerto Rico) had a phenomenal showing at the plate, going 3-for-3 on the day with an RBI and three runs. Adrian Martinez (JR/Toa Alta, Puerto Rico) also posted solid numbers after going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and one run.
Canales got the bats rolling to open play, leading off with a double down the line to shallow left field, later scoring on an RBI from Sergio Macias (JR/Laredo, Tex.). Riley Richarz (SR/Milwaukee, Wis.) later reached base on an error by the Vikings' third baseman, stole a base, and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Z Westley (JR/Midland, Mich.) to give the Eagles a 2-0 advantage.
Damian Rodriguez (SR/Laredo, Tex.) and Jose Mieses (JR/Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic) were both hit by pitches in back-to-back plate appearances to open the second frame, followed by a bases loaded situation as Canales laid down a bunt and was safe after streaking down the line. Richarz and Sergio Macias both earned RBI after advancing runners after a field's choice and a ground out. Adrian Martinez wrapped up the scoring for the inning with a two-run home run over the left field wall on an 0-2 count, extending the lead to six.
Mason Schwellenbach (JR/Saginaw, Mich.) snuck a hit through the hole at short to get on base in the third frame, later being plated on a single from Richarz to right-center. Canales also scored in the same play as the MVC right fielder missed high on a throw to third, tossing the ball over the fence and out of play.
Central put together another big inning in the fifth, scoring four runs that were highlighted by a double to deep left from Rodriguez and a slew of singles from Richarz, Mieses, Martinez, and Logan Haring (JR/DeKalb, Ill.).
Missouri Valley scored their lone run in the top of the sixth after a wild throw to second on a stolen base attempt. Luis Sterling (SR/Bronx, N.Y.) entered the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth, knocking a hit down the third base line for a single. He was later plated for the final run of the game on a single to shallow center from Canales.
Kyle Fulton (SR/Monroe City, Mo.) earned the win on the mound, advancing his overall record to 8-1 on the season. He struck out five on the day, allowing just two hits and zero earned runs through six innings. Edward Nunez-Beltre (SR/Azua, Dominican Republic) came on in relief in the final inning, striking out two of the three batters faced.
The Eagles will be back in action tomorrow (April 13) with a doubleheader against Missouri Valley to close out the three-game series. The first pitch is set for 12 PM on Estes Field in Fayette, Mo.
