Fayette, Mo. — Central Methodist Baseball closed out the regular season in strong fashion, taking three of four games from Benedictine College over the weekend at Estes Field.
The Eagles improve to 27-20 overall and 16-12 in conference play while the Ravens finish the year at 23-24 and 13-15 in the Heart of America.
Game 1: CMU 3 – Benedictine 2
Central opened the series Friday with a 3-2 comeback win in the opener. After falling behind 2-0 through four and a half innings, the Eagles responded with a two-run fifth inning to tie the game. Ryan Malzahn delivered an RBI single before Cruz Valencia scored on a passed ball to even the score. In the sixth, Jack Prewett came through with the go-ahead RBI single. Westin Walls went the distance on the mound, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out seven to earn the win.
Game 2: Benedictine 4 – CMU 1
Benedictine bounced back in game two with a 4-1 victory. The Ravens broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run fifth inning highlighted by a two-run home run. CMU managed just four hits in the contest, with its lone run coming on an RBI groundout from Joshua Smith in the second inning.
Game 3: CMU 4 – Benedictine 1
The Eagles regained control of the series on Saturday with a 4-1 win in game three. Central jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first on a two-RBI double by Justin Smith.
Joshua Smith added a solo home run in the fourth, and Prewett contributed an RBI double in the sixth to provide insurance.
Gavin Whitehurst earned the win on the mound with 4.1 scoreless innings, while Nicholas Neighbours secured the save.
Game 4: CMU 5 – Benedictine 0
Central completed the series victory with a 5-0 shutout in the finale. The Eagles struck early, capitalizing on a Benedictine error in the first inning before breaking the game open in the third on a three-run home run from Dariel Rios. Zeb Wede added a solo homer in the sixth to cap the scoring. A trio of pitchers—Derick Garcia, Chase Schnieders, and Vince Ray—combined to hold the Ravens scoreless on six hits.
Up Next:
Central has qualified for the postseason, beginning with the Heart of America Conference Tournament this week in Ozark, Missouri. The Eagles have earned the No. 2 seed and will square off against No. 2 seeded Mount Mercy Thursday, April 30 at 8:30 p.m.
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