Fayette, Mo. - The No. 23 Central Methodist Baseball program picked up two key wins over Park University Friday afternoon in Parkville, Missouri.
In the Heart Conference Network Games of the Week, Central took game one, 12-5, before just edging the Pirates in game two, 4-3.
Central improves to 26-12 and 20-6 in the Heart of America, sitting just two games back of first place in the regular season standings. Park now stands at 21-14 and 16-10 in conference action.
Game 1: No. 23 CMU 12 - Park 5
Central jumped out in front in the top of the first inning with two runs, including an RBI double from Kyle Williams to score Valentin Cerna Jr.
CMU held Park scoreless in the first two innings before the Pirates tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. However, a single from Dominick Proctor in the top of the fourth was enough to plate Gavin Whitehurst to give Central a 3-2 lead.
Park responded in the fifth with a two-out RBI triple down the right field line to tie the game at 3-3.
Both teams went scoreless in the sixth.
Central's offense exploded for nine runs on seven hits with one Pirate error in the top of the seventh.
In the inning, Williams tripled to right field to score Cerna Jr., while a single from Tanner Sears plated Aaron Guess Jr.
After Ryan Malzahn singled, a throwing error by the third baseman resulted in Malzahn ultimately scoring on the play as did Blake Anderson.
Three batters later, Darius Freeman homered down the right field line to plate three, extending Central's lead to 10-3.
CMU's final two runs of the inning and the game came off the bat of Jack Prewett, who doubled to right scoring both Whitehurst and Anderson.
Park cut into the Eagles' lead in the final half inning with two runs. However, Central's dominant seventh inning offense was too much for Park to overcome, as the Eagles secured the game one win.
The Eagles got production from up and down its lineup, as seven different batters recorded at least one hit.
From the leadoff spot, Cerna Jr. batted three-for-four with two singles and a double.
Williams, Malzahn, and Proctor each recorded two hits, while Freeman finished the day with a team-leading three RBI.
Senior Foster Seitz got the start on the bump, tossing six complete innings and giving up three earned runs on six hits with a strikeout. He is now 8-3 on the year as Central's ace.
Nicholas Neighbours and Vince Ray shared the closer duties in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the win.
Game 2: No. 23 CMU 4 - Park 3
A triple from Malzahn in the top of the first scored Cerna Jr. to give Central a 1-0 lead. Park responded with three runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 3-1 lead.
Central tacked on three runs in the fourth inning, all coming with two outs on the scoreboard. With the bases loaded, Proctor was hit by a pitch to score Malzahn from third.
In the following at-bat, Wede connected on a two-RBI single to right center, scoring both Whitehurst and Negron to put CMU out in front, 4-3.
The Eagles' pitching staff of Cesar Morales and Landon Winingham shut out Park the final five innings. Morales tossed six and a third innings to earn his fourth win of the year.
Winingham forced a double play for the final two outs of the game to pick up his fifth save of the year.
Up Next:
Central will close out the series with the final two games against the Pirates Saturday, April 19 in Parkville. First pitch of game three is set for 1:00 p.m.
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