Parkville, Mo. - The No. 23 Central Methdodist Baseball program secured a doubleheader split against Park University Saturday afternoon in Parkville, Mo.
Central took care of business in game three, defeating the Pirates 8-3, before falling in the finale, 3-2. As a result, CMU concluded the weekend with a 3-1 series win over Park.
The Eagles enter the final week of the regular season with a 27-13 overall record and a 21-7 mark in the Heart of America, sitting three games back of first place in the regular season standings.
Game 1: No. 23 CMU 8 - Park 3
The Pirates struck first with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Central chipped in runs in each of the third and fourth innings to tie the game at 2-2.
A two-RBI single back up the middle from Zeb Wede in the fifth inning put CMU out in front 4-2. Park would cut the deficit to one with an RBI-triple in the fifth.
Leading 4-3, the Eagles put the game away in their final plate appearances. Valentin Cerna Jr. and Ryan Malzahn each drove in two runs, including a single from Cerna Jr. and a double from Malzahn.
Marcos Lopez got the win on the bump for Central, his fourth of the year. He tossed four and a third innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits.
Nicholas Neighbours pitched the final two and two thirds innings, keeping Park off the scoreboard and striking out two.
Malzahn led the Eagle bats, finishing the day with two hits, three RBI, a walk, and a run scored.
Game 2: Park 3 - No. 23 CMU 2
The finale was a pitcher's duel that saw just five total runs come across to score.
Central jumped out in front in the top of the third, as Carlos Negron connected on a two-RBI single to right center to bring home Malzahn and Cerna Jr.
Park did its damage in the bottom of the fourth, plating three runs on two hits to take a 3-2 lead.
CMU was only able to pick up one hit through the final three innings of play, as the Pirates held on for the one-run win in the finale.
Landon Winingham started the final game of the weekend for Central, throwing four complete innings and allowing three earned runs on two hits with two walks. He also struck out four total batters.
Alfred Ulloa, Neighbours, and Vince Ray also saw time on the bump.
Up Next:
Central returns home to host Peru State College for a four-game series beginning Friday, April 25. The program will also honor its 2025 senior class during the weekend.
#TakeFlight
