Fayette, Mo. - Central Methodist Baseball battled No. 6 Missouri Baptist in a four-game conference series over the weekend at Estes Field, with the Spartans taking three of the four games.
Central now stands at 24-19 and 13-11 in the Heart of America, while Missouri Baptist improves to 35-6 and 22-2 in conference action.
CMU showcased its offensive firepower throughout the weekend, scoring 35 runs across the four games, highlighted by a 12-run outburst in the opener and a near comeback in the suspended game.
Ryan Malzahn, Dariel Rios, Karlo Aguirre, and Landon McKillip led a lineup that consistently produced.
Game 1: Central Methodist 12 – No. 6 Missouri Baptist 4
Central opened the series with an emphatic 12-4 victory, using a dominant middle innings surge to take control. After trading runs early, the Eagles broke the game open with a six-run fourth inning and added four more in the sixth.
Malzahn powered the offense with two home runs and four RBI, while Aguirre added three hits and three RBI. Rios also contributed three hits and two RBI, and Jordan Vazquez scored three times at the top of the lineup. On the mound, Westin Walls earned the win, allowing three runs over five innings, while Nicholas Neighbours closed it out with two strong innings of relief.
Game 2: No. 6 Missouri Baptist 17 – Central Methodist 13
CMU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Rios. However, Missouri Baptist responded with a barrage of power, launching seven home runs in the game to rally for a 17-13 win.
The game was suspended due to lightning with no outs in the bottom of the seventh on Friday and resumed Saturday morning. Despite a six-run rally in the seventh inning after play resumed, the Eagles could not complete the comeback.
Rios finished with four RBI, while Malzahn and Aguirre each homered. McKillip added two hits and two RBI.
Game 3: No. 6 Missouri Baptist 11 – Central Methodist 9
The third game of the series was another tightly contested battle, with Missouri Baptist edging Central 11-9.
The Eagles struck first with three runs in the second inning, but Missouri Baptist answered with a six-run third and added three more in the fourth to build a lead. Central Methodist rallied with a five-run fifth inning and tied the game in the sixth, but Missouri Baptist scored twice in the seventh to secure the win.
McKillip led the Eagles with two hits and three RBI, while Dawson Foster added three hits and two RBI. Malzahn and Gavin Whitehurst each had multi-hit performances as well.
Game 4: No. 6 Missouri Baptist 3 – Central Methodist 1
In the series finale, Missouri Baptist completed the series win with a 3-1 victory in a pitching duel.
The Spartans scored twice in the first inning and added a solo home run in the third for all their offense. Central Methodist's lone run came in the third inning on an RBI double by Malzahn.
Missouri Baptist's starter went the distance, limiting the Eagles to four hits while striking out eight. Neighbours took the loss for Central Methodist, allowing three runs over three innings, while the bullpen held Missouri Baptist scoreless over the final four frames.
Up Next:
Central remains at home to host Benedictine College for a four-game weekend series April 24-25 at Estes Field. The Eagles will recognize their 2026 senior class at the conclusion of game four Saturday.
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