Fayette, Mo. - The No. 8 Central Methodist Baseball team completed the series sweep over Graceland University Tuesday afternoon at Estes Field. 

CMU took the first game of the Tuesday doubleheader, 21-1 and completed the sweep in the finale by a final score of 9-1. With the pair of victories, Central improves its overall record to 18-3 and 4-0 in conference play. Graceland falls to 6-14 and 0-5 in the Heart. 

In the first game of the day, the Eagles' offense exploded for 14 runs in the first inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Robbie Merced. The inning concluded with 14 runs on eight hits with three errors from the Graceland defense. 

Central added three more runs in the second to push their lead to 17-1, followed by a run in the third, one in the fifth and two in the sixth. Overall, CMU tallied 21 runs on 15 hits and seven walks. 

Merced led the offense with six total RBI and two walks. Cole Luedeking, and Tommaso Giarola each picked up three hits, while Merced, Giarola, Jeff Vance and Khalil Thrasher all recorded home runs. 

Senior ace Nick Merkel pitched five complete innings, giving up only one earned run on five hits and one walk. He also struck out 11 batters. 

Brandon Tyler and Micah Blankenship shut out Graceland through the final two innings of work, as each pitched one inning. Blankenship struck out three batters in the seventh inning to complete the victory for CMU. 

The 21 runs scored are the most for an Eagles' team since Feb. 29, 2020, when they defeated Graceland 22-10.

Central's offense kept rolling in the series finale, scoring runs in three of the first four innings. CMU concluded the game with a three-run sixth inning, and despite Graceland scoring one in the top of the seventh, the Eagles would go on to earn the eight-run victory. 

Tanner Sears batted two-of-four with three runs driven in including a two-run home run in the third inning. Cole Luedeking homered in the first inning to get Central on the board. 

Ryan Jeffers got the start on the bump, tossing the first 3.1 innings before Tyler Vicars came in relief to pitch the next 1.2 innings. Nino Puckett and Drew Marrufo tossed one inning each to close the game out. Overall, Central's pitching staff tallied 12 strikeouts and allowed only three hits. 

CMU remains at home and will host Evangel University for a four-game series beginning Saturday, March 19 at 1:00 p.m. at Estes Field. 

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