Fayette, Mo. - The No. 14 Central Methodist Baseball program finished the weekend with a doubleheader split against the University of Jamestown Sunday afternoon at Estes Field.
The Eagles dropped the first game against the Jimmies, 3-0, before rebounding with a 7-2 win in the finale.
After a scoreless first two innings of play, the Jimmies got on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning in game one.
A solo shot in the top of the fourth pushed Jamestown's lead to 3-0.
The Eagles looked to put together a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Following back-to-back K's in the inning, Bobby Nichols got on base after being hit by pitch.
A single by Robbie Merced put the tying run at the plate. Jeremy Conforti would then single to short to load the bases. However, the Jimmies retired the final batter to complete the 3-0 shut out.
Marcus Pritchard got the start on the bump, tossing 3.1 innings and giving up three earned runs on four hits with three walks. He also struck out six batters.
Justin Guzman came in relief and tossed the final 3.2 innings, holding the Jimmies scoreless the rest of the way while striking out five.
Central's offense picked up the pace in game two, scoring a pair of runs in the opening inning including an RBI-double from Tanner Sears, and an RBI-single from Khalil Thrasher.
The Jimmies tied the game at 2-2 in the next half inning, before the Eagles answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. The inning was highlighted by a Joseph Weatherford RBI-double to centerfield.
Leading 4-2, Central would pad its lead with three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Following back-to-back singles, Dominic VanDoorne entered the game as a pinch hitter and singled to left field, scoring Gannon Ruckman and Khalil Thrasher.
Two batters later, Nichols doubled to centerfield to score Joey Fitzgerald Jr., making the final score 7-2 in favor of Central.
Thrasher led the Eagle bats with three hits in four at bats, while Nichols and Weatherford each collected two hits. Nichols also swiped a stolen base.
Joshua Tucker started the game and pitched 1.1 innings before Clayton Burke came in relief and pitched the next 3.2. Burke gave up no earned runs on three hits and struck out four batters to earn his second win of 2023.
Larry Riddle Jr. tossed the final two innings, preserving the shut out and striking out three.
Central remains at home to host a six-team tournament beginning this week. Central will begin tournament play against Saint Xavier (Ill.) Friday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. at Estes Field.
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