Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Baseball program swept Park University in a four-game weekend series Saturday and Sunday at Estes Field. 

The Eagles improve their overall record to 32-12 and 22-4 in conference play, while the Pirates fall to 14-24 and 8-20 in the Heart. 

At the conclusion of the series, the program recognized the 2023 senior class which included; Terry Tolliver Jr., Robbie Merced, Tommaso Giarola, Alan West, Gannon Ruckman, Khalil Thrasher, and Trey Rassenfoss. 

Game 1: CMU 16 - Park 0

The opener saw the Eagles score 16 runs on 14 hits. Jeremy Conforti led the way batting two-for-three including a three-run home run in the top of the first inning. 

Joseph Weatherford finished the day picking up one hit in four at-bats, highlighted by a bases clearing double in the fourth. In addition, Bobby Nichols batted three-for-five while crossing the plate twice. 

Sebastian Escobar earned his seventh win of the year on the bump, tossing six scoreless innings and allowing just two hits and a walk. He also struck out two batters. Alexander Billo came in relief for the final frame to preserve the shut out. 

Game 2: CMU 4 - Park 3 

Central had to use seventh inning magic to earn a tough one-run victory in the second game of the series. Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, CMU earned a lead-off walk from Merced followed by three-straight hits from Jeremy Conforti, Tanner Sears, and West to load the bases. 

With the game tied at 3-3, Giarola singled to centerfield to score Conforti from third for the walk off win in game two. 

Sears, Conforti, and West all picked up two hits including the game tying single from Sears in the seventh. Marcus Pritchard got the start on the bump, tossing three full innings while giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out four batters. 

Justin Guzman pitched the next three innings, holding Park scoreless and keeping Central within striking distance. Alfred Ulloa earned his second win of the year, pitching the final frame and striking out two batters. 

Game 3: CMU 12 - Park 5

The Eagles' offense broke game three open in the sixth inning, scoring eight runs on seven hits and one Pirate error.

Nichols finished game three with two hits in three at-bats including a two-RBI single in the second and an RBI-single in the sixth. Sears matched Nichols with three RBI, including a two-RBI double in the fifth inning. 

West got the start on the bump, tossing six complete innings and allowing four earned runs on 10 hits while striking out six. West is now 9-1 on the year. 

Joshua Tucker also saw action in the final inning of play, giving up one run on one hit in the seventh. 

Game 4: 

Leading 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Central plated six runs on four hits, including an RBI-double from Merced and a two-RBI triple from West. 

Merced picked up two hits, both being for extra bases in a double and a triple. Thrasher also singled in the sixth inning to plate two runners. 

Clayton Burke pitched six full innings, giving up just one earned run on eight hits while striking out six in the win. Larry Riddle Jr. came in relief in the seventh, retiring the side in order to preserve the 9-1 victory. 

Up Next:

The Eagles head out on the road for their final regular-season road series of the year against Culver-Stockton College beginning Friday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m. in Canton, Mo. 

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