Fayette, Mo. – The No. 10 Central Methodist baseball opened up conference play with a pair of wins against Evangel University Thursday night at Estes Field.
The Eagles won game one by a score of 5-4 followed by an 8-1 victory in game two. With the win, the Eagles improve to 15-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play while the Crusaders fall to a 7-7 overall and 0-2 in Heart action.
In game one, the Eagles were fast to jump on the lead, scoring five runs by the fourth inning, The Crusaders took advantage of defensive errors to answer back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Evangel still recorded a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to trim the lead to 5-4. However, Nino Puckett came onto the mound and retired the last batter to preserve the win.
Logan McDonald led the offense batting two-of-three with a run scored. Mason Schwellenbach and Grant Victor finished the game with two RBI each.
Kenny Otero pitched six innings, giving up three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts. Nino Puckett earned the save after retiring the final batter.
In game two, Logan Haring broke the program's record for career doubles after a double in the top of the first. The senior first basemen has recorded 49 career doubles and has played in over 200 games as an Eagle. Haring will next look to claim the top spot as CMU's all-time career hits leader. He is currently chasing head coach Nate Breland's mark of 241 hits (2003-06). He is now just 17 hits away from tying the current record.
Central was able to control the second game, with one run scored in each of the first three innings. CMU opened a 3-0 lead before giving up the only run in the game at the bottom of the fourth. Two runs in the top of the fifth and a three-run home run in the top of the sixth by Sergio Macias solidified the Eagles' 15th win of the year.
Macias led the Eagle bats, batting three-of-five with four RBI. Catcher Jeff Vance finished the game with three hits in four at-bats, and one RBI. Schwellenbach and Victor also added an RBI each. Haring finished batting two-for-three and scoring two runs.
Dylan Brister got the game two win on the bump, pitching five innings, striking out three batters, and giving up one run on one hit.
The Eagles will be back on Estes Field on Saturday, March 13 for another doubleheader against Evangel at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
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