Fayette, Mo. — Central Methodist University baseball used a combination of explosive offense and late-game heroics to sweep a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader from Clarke University at Estes Field, winning 18-4 in the opener and walking it off 5-4 in game two.
The Eagles improve to 16-11 overall with the sweep, while Clarke falls to 10-14.
Game 1: Central Methodist 18 - Clarke 4
After surrendering three runs in the top of the first inning, Central Methodist responded emphatically, scoring in each of the first six innings and piling up 18 runs on 16 hits. The Eagles took control in the second when Jordan Vazquez launched a two-run homer to give CMU a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish. A four-run third inning created separation before the Eagles broke the game open in the fourth.
The decisive blow came off the bat of Zeb Wede, who belted a grand slam during a five-run fourth inning to extend the lead to 12-3. Wede finished with five RBI as part of a dominant offensive showing. Justin Smith added a three-hit performance that included a home run and three RBI, while Dawson Foster also recorded three hits and drove in four runs. Ryan Malzahn contributed two hits and two RBI, and Dariel Rios scored three times while adding a triple to help pace the 16-hit attack.
On the mound, Vince Ray earned the win in relief, tossing three innings and allowing just one run. The Eagles limited Clarke to four runs despite 11 hits.
Game 2: Central Methodist 5 - Clarke 4
The nightcap proved far more competitive, with Central rallying in its final at-bat to complete the sweep. Clarke jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but CMU answered and eventually evened the score at 2-2 in the fifth when Gavin Whitehurst delivered an RBI single.
Clarke regained the advantage with two runs in the top of the seventh to go up 4-2, but the Eagles responded in dramatic fashion in the bottom half. Whitehurst came through again with an RBI single to pull CMU within one before Rios delivered the game-winning hit, driving in two runs to seal the 5-4 walk-off victory.
Whitehurst finished with three hits and two RBI to lead the offense, while Rios added two hits and three RBI, including the decisive knock. On the mound, Alexander Gryckiewicz picked up the win after recording the final two outs in the seventh inning.
Up Next:
Central will next take on Missouri Valley College for a four-game series beginning Saturday, March 28th at 12:00 p.m. in Marshall, Mo.
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