Ozark, Mo. - The No. 3 Central Methodist baseball program opened the Heart Conference Tournament with a 6-3 victory over No. 6 seeded Peru State Friday night in Ozark, Mo. 

With the win, Central improves to 39-12 and advances in the winner's bracket. The Bobcats fall to 21-31. 

Tommaso Giarola started the scoring with an RBI-double to left center to bring home Bobby Nichols from first. Cole Luedeking pushed Central's lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning on a two-RBI double to right, scoring both Robbie Merced and Nichols. 

A single by Logan McDonald through the left side to score Grant Victory extended the Eagles' lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning. However, Peru would respond in the bottom half of the frame, cutting the lead to one with a three-run home run to right. 

The game would hold 4-3 in favor of Central, before a two-RBI double to left field from Merced stretched Central's lead to 6-3. Peru was unable to plate any runs in the final few innings, as CMU would go on to secure the victory. 

Senior ace Nick Merkel secured his 10th win of the year, tossing eight complete innings and giving up three earned runs on eight hits with six strikeouts. 

Sebastian Escobar earned his first save of the year, pitching the ninth inning and collecting one strikeout. 

Nichols batted three-of-four with a walk and two stolen bases. Giarola collected two hits including a double. 

Overall, Central's offense scored six runs on 11 hits and six walks. 

CMU will next face No. 2 seeded Clarke University Saturday, May 7 at 8:30 p.m. 

#TakeFlight