Fayette, Mo. – The Central Methodist baseball team opened Heart of America Athletic Conference play in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader from Park by scores of 11-1 and 9-0.
The Eagles used a combination of strong starting pitching and timely offense to take the first two games of the four-game conference-opening series.
Central now stands at 11-8 and 2-0 in the Heart, while Park falls to 8-9 and 0-2 in conference action.
Game 1: Central Methodist 11 - Park 1
Central broke open a tight game with an eight-run sixth inning to secure the double-digit victory.
Park scored first in the top of the second inning on a fielder's choice RBI to take a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles quickly answered in the bottom half when Dariel Rios scored on a balk to even the score at 1-1.
CMU grabbed control in the fifth inning when Jordan Vazquez launched a two-run home run to left field, scoring Landon McKillip and giving the Eagles a 3-1 advantage.
The Eagles then erupted in the sixth. RBI hits from Justin Smith, Dawson Foster, Vazquez, Gavin Whitehurst and Dariel Rios highlighted the inning as Central Methodist pushed across eight runs on eight hits to stretch the lead to 11-1.
Vazquez finished two-for-four with a home run, double, three RBI and two runs scored. Whitehurst went three-for-four with two RBI, while Rios collected two hits and an RBI. Justin Smith also added two hits and an RBI.
On the mound, Westin Walls earned the win after tossing six strong innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out six. Alexander Gryckiewicz worked the seventh inning in relief.
Game 2: Central Methodist 9 - Park 0
The Eagles carried the momentum into the second game, scoring in four different innings to complete the doubleheader sweep.
Central opened the scoring in the first when Rios drove in Vazquez on a fielder's choice.
The Eagles then put the game out of reach with a five-run second inning. RBI hits from McKillip, Whitehurst and Rios fueled the rally, while Ryan Malzahn added an RBI groundout as CMU built a 6-0 lead.
Malzahn later delivered an RBI triple in the fourth to extend the advantage to 7-0 before the Eagles added two more runs in the fifth on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout from Jack Prewett.
Whitehurst led the offense with a three-for-four performance and an RBI, while Rios drove in three runs on two hits. Malzahn added a hit and two RBI, and McKillip chipped in a hit and an RBI.
Derick Garcia earned the win for Central Methodist, throwing five shutout innings while allowing six hits and striking out five. Vince Ray and Riley Schnieders combined for two scoreless innings to close out the shutout.
Up Next:
CMU will look to finish off the four-game series Sunday as the Eagles host Park for the final two games of the conference-opening set at Estes Field. First pitch of game three is set for 12:00 p.m.
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