Fayette, Mo. - The No. 9 Central Methodist baseball team hosted MidAmerica Nazarene University for a four game series this weekend at Estes Field.
The Eagles also recognized the 2022 senior class at the conclusion of game four Saturday afternoon.
Central split with MNU on the first day, falling in the first game 2-1, before winning game two by an identical score. The Pioneers swept the second day by scores of 7-4 and 11-6 to earn the 3-1 series win.
CMU falls to 31-10 overall and 17-7 in conference play, while MNU improve to 25-14 and 18-6 in the Heart. MidAmerica Nazarene also claims the top spot in the Heart South Division standings with a .750 winning percentage.
Both teams remained scoreless in game one before MNU broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth on a two run home run to right field. Central cut the deficit in half on an RBI single from Bobby Nichols to score Gannon Ruckman. However, the Pioneers held off CMU for the final out on a fielder's choice to earn a 2-1 victory.
The Eagle bats finished game one with seven total hits compared to one for the Pioneers. But Central left seven runners on base, which proved to be the difference maker.
Senior ace Nick Merkel pitched a gem on the bump, throwing a complete game and giving up two earned runs on just one hit with eight strikeouts. Merkel had a no-hitter going through the first five innings of play before the home run broke up the bid in the sixth.
Central responded with a 2-1 victory in game two. The Pioneers jumped out in front in the fourth on an RBI single. CMU answered right back in the bottom half of the frame courtesy of an RBI single from Jeff Vance to score Ruckman.
The Eagles earned the walkoff win on an error by the MNU catcher. Senior left fielder Logan McDonald laid down a sacrifice bunt in an attempt to move Josh Green to second base. A wild throw from the MNU catcher to first base sent the ball into right field, and Green scampered home for the go ahead score.
Vance was the only Eagle to record a multi-hit game with two hits incuding an RBI single. Robbie Merced, Tanner Sears, and Khalil Thrasher all picked up hits for Central as well.
Beau Atkins pushed his record to a perfect 6-0, tossing seven complete innings on the mound and allowing only one earned run on seven hits including seven strikeouts.
MNU claimed victory in the final two games of the series Saturday afternoon. In game three, MNU jumped out in front with two runs in the second and third innings to take a 4-0 lead.
Central answered back with a four run third inning to tie the ballgame at 4-4. However, runs by the Pioneers in the sixth and seventh propelled them to a 7-4 vcitory in game three.
Merced batted three-of-four including three singles, an RBI and a run scored. He and teammate Bobby Nichols also swiped two bases apiece. Logan McDonald recorded a double while Cole Luedeking, Vance, and Thrasher all picked up RBI's.
Sebastian Escobar got the start on the bump, tossing the first 4.1 innings. Anthony G. Rodriguez came in relief for the next 0.2 innings, followed by Nino Puckett, Micah Blankenship and Felix Pena.
The Eagles concluded the series with an 11-6 loss. Despite scoring four runs in the first two innings of work, Central was unable to slow down the Pioneer bats, as MNU scored 11 runs on 14 hits including two home runs.
Merced highlighted the day for Central as he recorded his 21st home run of the season in the seventh inning. The homer broker the single-season record set by both Logan Haring and Sergio Macias in 2020.
Central will make the short trip to Columbia to face Columbia College for a single nine-inning game Tuesday April 19 at 6:00 p.m.
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