O'Fallon, Mo. - The Central Methodist baseball program started out strong in the first game of the 2021 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round, defeating No. 4 McPherson College by a score of 17-8 Tuesday afternoon at CarShield Field, in O'Fallon, Mo.
With the win, Central advances to the championship side of the bracket, while McPherson will face the winner of Doane/Benedictine-Mesa in the loser's bracket tomorrow afternoon.
The CMU offense peppered the Bulldogs' pitching staff in the first three innings, scoring two runs in the first, five runs in the second and three runs in the third. Despite McPherson scoring three in the top of the third, CMU added five runs in the fifth to take a 15-3 lead. The Bulldogs offense was the most productive in the latter half, collecting one run in the sixth, three in the seventh and one in the eighth. However, Central would go on to take the first game of the day, 17-8.
Senior first basemen Logan Haring led the offense, batting a perfect three-for-three with two RBI and three walks. Kenny Otero, Adrian Martinez, Sergio Macias, Mason Schwellenbach, and Max McCay all collected two hits. Schwellenbach finished the evening with three RBI, while both McCay and Deshawn Cole each recorded a solo home run.
Macias and Devon Garcia picked up the only three extra base hits of the night for Central, as Macias collected two doubles while Garcia recorded one. Overall the CMU offense finished the evening with 17 runs on 16 hits and 11 walks.
Schwellenbach got the start on the bump for the tournament opener, tossing five innings and giving up just three earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. With his sixth K of the game, he set a new program record for career strikeouts with 245. The previous record was held by Kyle Fulton (244, 2016-19). He also reached the century mark in single seasons Ks, as he now boasts 104 strikeouts in 14 starts.
Tyler Vicars came in relief after an hour rain delay, tossing one inning. Isaiah Davis threw the final three innings, picking up three strikeouts.
The Eagles will next face No. 2 seed William Carey Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. The winner will advance to Thursday's championship series.
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