Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist baseball team erupted for 32 runs across two games Sunday as the Eagles swept a doubleheader from Graceland at Estes Field, winning 14–7 in the opener and 18–2 in the nightcap.
The sweep moved Central Methodist to 9–8 on the season while Graceland fell to 6–13.
Game 1: Central Methodist 14 - Graceland 7
Central broke open a back-and-forth contest with a nine-run sixth inning to secure the first game of the day.
After the Eagles built an early 5–2 advantage behind a solo home run from Ryan Malzahn and an RBI double by Zeb Wede, Graceland surged ahead in the fifth inning. The Yellowjackets plated four runs — aided by a pair of wild pitches — to take a 6–5 lead.
The Eagles answered immediately.
An RBI single from Malzahn tied the game before Dariel Rios launched a three-run homer to right-center to give CMU the lead for good. RBI hits from Wede and Wilson Decker, along with a bases-loaded walk to Jack Prewett and a two-run single from Malzahn, capped the explosive frame.
Malzahn led the Eagles offensively, finishing three-for-five with four RBI, while Rios went four-for-five with three runs scored and three RBI.
On the mound, Vince Ray earned the win in relief, striking out four over the final two innings after starter Gavin Whitehurst worked five innings.
Game 2: Central Methodist 18 - Graceland 2
The Eagles carried their offensive momentum into the second game, exploding for seven runs in the first inning and never looking back.
Jordan Vazquez opened the scoring with a leadoff home run before RBI hits from Rios, Simon "JJ" Yoakum IV, Landon McKillip, and Dawson Foster pushed the early lead to 7–0.
Central continued to pile on runs throughout the afternoon. Justin Smith delivered a three-run homer in the second, while Malzahn added two home runs later in the game as part of a dominant day at the plate.
Malzahn finished four-for-five with two home runs, four RBI, and four runs scored, while Yoakum went three-for-three with three RBI and two runs. Whitehurst added three hits and three runs as the Eagles racked up 24 hits in the game.
The final run of the day came from junior Dawsoen Kellgren, who homered to left field in the sixth inning, his first of the year.
On the mound, Riley Schnieders earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Reiss Beahan struck out five over the final two innings to close the game.
Central Methodist pitchers combined to allow just one hit while striking out 10.
Up Next:
Central opens conference play with a four-game series against Park University beginning Saturday, March 14, at 1:00 p.m. at Estes Field.
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