Fayette, Mo. – No. 25 Central Methodist erased a six-run deficit and battled back to tie the game late, but No. 23 Columbia College pushed across three runs in the ninth to secure a 9-7 victory Thursday afternoon at Estes Field.
The loss drops the Eagles to 2-3 on the season, while Columbia also moves to 2-3.
Columbia seized control early, capitalizing on a big second inning. Jack Dunn opened the scoring with an RBI single before Nick Mullinax drove in a run on a fielder's choice. The inning's decisive blow came off the bat of Dylan Carlton, who launched a grand slam to left field to cap a six-run frame and give the Cougars a 6-0 advantage.
Central chipped away in the third, as Gavin Whitehurst and Dariel Rios each produced RBI groundouts. Ryan Malzahn followed with a solo home run to right-center to trim the deficit to 6-3.
After five scoreless innings from reliever Jeremy Yanow, who allowed just one hit and struck out five over five strong innings, the Eagles mounted their biggest push in the seventh. Jack Prewett delivered an RBI single to make it 6-4 before Jordan Vazquez tied the game with a two-run homer to left, his first of two long balls on the day.
With the game knotted at 6-6 entering the ninth, Columbia capitalized on free passes. Carlton drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run, and Tyler Renn followed with a two-RBI single up the middle to put the Cougars ahead 9-6.
Vazquez provided late drama in the bottom half, blasting his second home run of the contest to left-center to cut the deficit to 9-7. The senior shortstop finished three-for-five with three runs scored and three RBI, accounting for two of Central's three home runs.
Malzahn batted two-for-four with a homer and an RBI, while Whitehurst and Prewett each drove in a run. The Eagles outhit Columbia 10-7 but left six runners on base.
Westin Walls got the start on the bump for CMU allowing six runs over two innings. Yanow kept Central within striking distance in relief, while Chase Schnieders and Brayden Lester also pitched. Alexander Gryckiewicz recorded the final two outs of the ninth.
Central remains at home to host the Valetine Invite, beginning with a single-game against Dakota State Friday, Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m.
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