Fayette, Mo. - The No. 14 Central Methodist Baseball program secured a doubleheader sweep against Missouri Baptist Friday afternoon at Estes Field.
The doubleheader marks the first varsity contest played in the newly renovated facility which includes; a new turf field, backstops, netting, and bullpens, in addition to a Champion outfield wall, new side fencing and electric.
The Eagles fell in a tightly contested game one by a final of 5-4. Central's bats came alive in game two, going on to earn a 16-2 victory.
In the first game, CMU found itself trailing 5-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning. Joseph Weatherford started the inning with a solo home run to centerfield, followed by a sacrifice fly from Logan Doody that scored Kaden Doan from third.
On that same play, a throwing error by the MBU shortstop allowed Robbie Merced to scamper home from third, cutting the Spartan's lead to 5-3.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Eagles loaded the bases on a single from Merced, followed a hit by pitch from Doody, and a bunt single from Bobby Nichols to start the rally.
Jeremy Conforti would single to left field to score Merced from third. Pinch runner Gannon Ruckman was thrown out at home by an excellent relay from MBU's left field to the catcher.
Missouri Baptist would retire the final Eagle batter to secure the third out of the inning and come away with the narrow one run victory.
Alan West got the start on the bump, tossing five complete innings and giving up five runs, with three being earned, on five hits and a pair of walks. He also struck out three batters.
Both Alexander Billo and Justin Guzman saw action through the final two innings of work on the mound.
Game two saw the Eagle bats come alive, as Central scored six runs in the first, five in the second, one in the third, three in the fourth, and one in the sixth.
West had a solid showing at the dish, batting four-of-five with a pair of triples. Tanner Sears finished the day with two hits and four RBI, including a two-RBI double to left field in the first.
Weatherford tallied two hits and drove in three runners. Conforti and Merced also collected two hits apiece.
Sebastian Escobar eaned his second win of the year on the bump, pitching 5.2 innings and allowed just two earned runs on five hits. He struck out six total batters on the day.
Alfred Ulloa came in relief for the final 1.1 innings of work, giving up no runs on just one hit with a strikeout.
The Eagles will conclude the weekend with a doubleheader matchup against Jamestown beginning at 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.
#TakeFlight
