Columbia Mo. - The No. 9 Central Methodist baseball program took down (RV) Columbia College in a non-conference matchup by a final score of 10-7 Tuesday afternoon in Columbia, Mo. 

The Eagles improve their overall record to 32-10 overall, while CC falls to 32-7. 

The game remained scoreless through the first three innings of play before Central plated five runs in the fourth. CMU scored its five runs on three hits, including doubles from both Tanner Sears, and Khalil Thrasher, and a two-RBI triple from Jeff Vance. 

CMU responded to Columbia's two-run fourth inning with three more runs in the fifth on an RBI single from Robbie Merced and a two-RBI single from Vance. 

Both teams exchanged runs in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh innings before the Cougars drove in three in the bottom half of the seventh. Leading 9-6 heading into the final inning, a sacrfice fly to left field from Grant Victor scored Josh Green for the 10th run of the game for CMU. Columbia College plated one run in the bottom half of the frame on a double, but were unable to come any closer, as Central went on to earn a 10-7 victory in nine innings. 

Vance led the Eagle bats, batting three-of-four including a double, a triple and a walk. Overall, the native of Tahlequah, Okla. drove in three run. Sears and Victor drove in two runs each and junior shortstop Robbie Merced drew three total walks. 

Altogether, Central scored 10 runs on eight hits and eight walks. 

Nino Puckett got the start on the bump, tossing the first three innings before Felix Pena came in relief in the middle innings. Micah Blankenship earned the win after throwing 2.1 innings and giving up just one earned run. Ryan Jeffers followed Blankenship, tossing one complete inning, before Tyler Vicars closed the game out with a game-high five strikeouts. 

Central returns to conference action against Park University for a weekend series beginning Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. in Parkville, Mo. 

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