Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Baseball program completed a four-game series sweep over Missouri Valley College this past weekend at Estes Field.
Central now stands at 24-12 and 18-6 in the Heart of America. Missouri Valley drops to 11-26 and 6-18 in conference play.
Game 1: No 21 CMU 6 - Missouri Valley 1
The Eagles scored runs in each of the first four innings, including two in the first, two in the second, and one in the third and fourth innings to secure a series opening win.
Ryan Malzahn finished the day batting two-for-three including a two-RBI double. Kyle Williams matched Malzahn with two hits in four at-bats highlighted by a solo home run in the fourth.
Valentin Cerna Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to left in the second inning, as did Gavin Whitehurst in the third.
Foster Seitz had another solid outing on the bump, as the senior threw his third complete game of the season. Seitz gave up just one earned run on five hits with three strikeouts.
Game 2: No. 21 CMU 20 - Missouri Valley 9
Central's offense exploded for 20 runs for the fourth time this season in game two. The Eagles opened the game with seven runs in the first inning, followed by two in the second, six in the third, and five in the fourth.
Whitehurst finished the day batting three-of-four with a single and a pair of homeruns to drive in four total RBI.
Carlos Negron collected three hits incuding a three-run home run to left in the first. Altogether the senior drove in five Eagle runners.
Cesar Morales earned his third win of the year, tossing five complete innings and striking out six. Justin Stedry, Carter Renick, and Vince Ray also saw action on the bump.
Game 3: No. 21 CMU 15 - Missouri Valley 3
The game three offense for CMU picked up right where they left off from game two, scoring 15 runs on 15 hits, including nine runs in the third inning.
Kyle Williams led the offense in this game with a pair of home runs while driving in five total RBI.
Malzahn hit a grand slam to center in the third inning to clear the bases, while Gavin Whitehurst finished just a home run shy of the cycle. Whitehurst collected three RBI in the win.
Marcos Lopez tossed five complete innings, allowing just two earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts. Both Alfred Ulloa and Vince Ray each threw an inning to close the game out.
Game 4: No. 21 CMU 8 - Missouri Valley 7
The finale saw the Eagles trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the second inning. Central plated two runs in the bottom half of the frame, highlighted by a solo home run from Whitehurst.
Both teams exchanged runs in the fifth inning, as Missouri Valley still held a 4-3 lead heading into the top of the sixth. Valley's offense tacked on three more runs in the frame, but Central responded with three in the bottom half to come back within one.
Trailing 7-6 in the final half inning, Tanner Sears started the rally with a leadoff walk followed by a single from Malzahn to put two on with no outs.
Negron was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Following a fielder's choice, Whitehurst hit the game winning two-run single to centerfield, plating Aaron Guess Jr. and Malzahn.
Whitehurst capped a tremendous weekend at the plate, batting a perfect four-for-four with four RBI. Darius Freeman drove in two RBI on a ground out and a fielder's choice.
Landon Winingham and Nicholas Neighbours each saw time on the bump, while Sears transitioned from catcher to pitcher for the final inning.
Sears earned the win, his fourth of the year.
Up Next:
Central next travels to Park University to face the Pirates for a four-game series beginning Friday, April 18 in Parkville, Mo.
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