Baldwin City, Kan. — Central Methodist split its opening doubleheader of a four-game Heart of America series at Baker on Saturday, falling 4-1 in the opener before bouncing back with a 7-6 victory in game two.

Game 1: Baker 4 - Central Methodist 1

Central Methodist was limited offensively in the opener, managing just one run on six hits in the loss.

The Eagles struck first in the third inning when Dariel Rios delivered an RBI single to score Gavin Whitehurst for a 1-0 lead.

Baker answered in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on a CMU error to tie the game at 1-1. The Wildcats then took control in the fifth, plating three runs—two earned—to build a 4-1 advantage they would not relinquish.

Rios led the Eagles offensively, going a perfect three-for-three with the team's lone RBI. Zeb Wede added two hits, while Whitehurst accounted for the team's only run and stole a base.

On the mound, Westin Walls turned in a solid outing despite taking the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings while striking out two.

Game 2: Central Methodist 7 - Baker 6

The Eagles responded in a big way in game two, using timely hitting and late execution to secure a one-run victory.

Central jumped out early, scoring three runs in the first inning behind aggressive baserunning and Baker errors. Rios delivered a two-RBI single in the frame to give the Eagles an early cushion.

Baker answered quickly, scoring once in the first and erupting for four runs in the second to take a 5-3 lead. The Wildcats added another run in the fourth to make it 6-5 after Central had briefly tied the game on a two-run home run by Wede the third.

The Eagles continued to battle, tying the game in the sixth when Whitehurst singled home Landon McKillip. CMU then took the lead for good in the seventh, as Wede drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to score Rios.

Wede finished with three RBI, including his home run, while Rios added two hits and two RBI. Whitehurst also recorded two hits and drove in a run, and Ryan Malzahn scored twice atop the lineup.

Out of the bullpen, Jeremy Yanow earned the win, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings while working around traffic late. Vince Ray provided a key middle relief stretch, allowing just one run over 3.1 innings to keep the Eagles within striking distance.

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