Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Baseball program concluded its series against MidAmerica Nazarene University with a two-game split Wednesday afternoon at Estes Field.
The series was meant to be played at MNU, but was moved to Fayette due to weather and field issues in Olathe. Central served as the visiting team on the scoreboard.
The Eagles cruised to a 15-2 victory in game one, before falling in the finale, 3-0. Central now stands at 14-10 and 2-2 in the Heart, while MNU now moves to 12-13 and 5-3 in the Heart.
Central's bats were on fire in the first game of the day, scoring runs in the first, second, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. Game one was highlighted by 10 extra-base hits and seven home runs.
Sophomore Tanner Sears had a career day at the plate, batting three-for-four with a walk and three home runs, all while driving in six runners. Senior shortstop Robbie Merced also played well, picking up three hits in four at-bats including a solo home run in the seventh.
Jeremy Conforti tallied three hits in five trips to the plate, and Tommaso Giarola, Logan Doody, and Alan West all homered for the Eagles as well. West homered in both the fifth and sixth innings while also picking up his fourth victory on the bump. The senior from Lewisville, Texas tossed six innings and gave up just two earned runs on five hits with eight strikeouts.
Ethan Grace came in relief in the final inning, striking out two of three batters faced.
Central fell in the final game of the series, unable to recreate the offensive magic of game one. CMU was held scoreless and just three hits on the day. Merced, West, and Conforti were the only Eagles to pick up hits for the Eagle bats.
Marcus Pritchard got the game-two start, throwing five complete innings and giving up three earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. Larry Riddle Jr. pitched the final inning, striking out two batters.
Central will next host Baker University for a four-game series beginning Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m. at Estes Field.
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