Fayette, Mo. - The No. 25 Central Methodist Baseball team opened play at the Valentine Invite with a narrow 3-2 setback to Dakota State University on Friday at Estes Field.

With the loss, Central falls to 2-4 while the Trojans improve to 3-3. 

Dakota State capitalized on early opportunities and a handful of Eagle miscues to build a three-run cushion, DSU then leaned on its bullpen to hold off Central down the stretch.

The Trojans wasted little time striking in the top of the first. DSU worked a base runner aboard and came home on an RBI single to center, giving Dakota State a 1-0 edge.

The game turned in the third inning, when the Trojans pushed across two unearned runs. DSU scored after reaching base during a sequence that included an error. The runner later crossed the plate following another defensive miscue as Dakota State stretched the lead to 3-0 despite recording just one RBI in the contest.

Central Methodist starter Gavin Whitehurst allowed four hits and three runs — only one earned — over five innings while striking out four on 79 pitches. Alexander Gryckiewicz followed with two scoreless frames to keep the Eagles within striking distance.

The spark came from Simon "JJ" Yoakum IV. The left fielder put Central on the board in the fourth with a solo shot to right, trimming the deficit to 3-1. He struck again in the sixth, lining an RBI single to right that plated Dawson Kellgren and cut the margin to one.

Yoakum accounted for two of Central's three hits and both RBI in the contest.

The Eagles threatened late but could not break through, finishing with three hits and leaving six runners on base. 

Central returns to action at home against Madonna Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2:30 p.m. 

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