Fayette, Mo. - The No. 7 Central Methodist baseball program split its opening two games against Missouri Valley College Saturday afternoon at Estes Field. 

The Eagles won game one, 17-0 before falling in the second game, 5-1. Central now stands at 25-6 and 11-3 in conference play. The Vikings move to 11-18 and 4-10 in the Heart. 

The Eagles offense exploded for 17 runs on 13 hits in the first game of the day. Central got contributions from up and down the lineup, as eight different players picked up at least one hit. 

Robbie Merced was intentionally walked in his first two at bats before hitting a three-run home run to left field in the fifth inning. Merced now has 19 home runs this season, one home run shy of tying the single-season record, set by both Logan Haring and Sergio Macias in 2021. 

Grant Victor batted two-of-three with two triples, while Tanner Sears batted three-of-five with two RBI. Victor Plaz also drove in two runners on a single to right field in the sixth inning. 

Senior ace Nick Merkel earned his seventh win of the year, pitching a complete game shut out with 10 strikeouts and only three hits allowed.

Missouri Valley answered back in game two with a 5-1 victory. After a scoreless first three innings to start the game, the Vikings broke the deadlock with a run in the fourth inning. Central responded in the next half inning on a groud out from Cole Luedeking which scored Bobby Nichols to the game at 1-1.

The Vikings scored two runs in the six and recorded back-to-back home runs in the seventh to secure the game two win. 

Senior catcher Jeff Vance picked up the only hit of the game for CMU, a single to right field in the seventh inning. 

Sebastian Escobar tossed five complete innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits and a walk. He also struck out six batters. Tyler Vicars came in relief for the final two innings of work. 

Central closes the series with two games Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Estes Field. 

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