WARRENSBURG, MO – The University of Mary produced more hits but homestanding University of Central Missouri scored the runs as the Mules swept their day two doubleheader with the Marauders. Central Missouri held on for a 7-4 win in the opener before rallying to claim game two 3-2. UMary had more hits than UCM in both games of the twin bill and 17-12 overall.
GAME 1 Central Missouri 7 University of Mary 4
Calvin James cracked a bases-loaded triple to spark a four-run sixth inning for the Marauders but UMary's attempt to rally from an early deficit ran out of time. The Mules scored two runs in the first inning and three more in the third on their way to a 6-run lead. UMary held a 9-7 edge in hits but the UCM hitters augmented their attack with seven walks while the Marauders earned just one free pass. Both teams committed a pair of errors.
PIVOT POINT
The Mules took advantage of four walks and an error in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 2-0 lead. Central Missouri scored the first six runs of the game. UMary had a pair of opportunities to score early but couldn't get a timely hit, stranding three runners in the second and two more in the third inning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Calvin James drove in three runs with a bases-loaded triple and finished 2-for-4 with a run scored
- Brandon Schulz finished the game 2-for-4, scoring a run
- Jaxon Ford had two hits in four at bats and scored a run
- Quentin Evers came off the bench to post a hit, a hit by pitch and a walk in three plate appearances
- Andrew Brooks pitched a scoreless inning of relief, striking out two hitters
- UCM pitcher Collin Jones struck out 11 and didn't issue a walk in 5.2 innings to gain the win
STAT OF THE GAME
The Marauders left 10 runners on base to nine for the Mules. Twice UMary left the bases full, including in the team's four-run sixth inning.
GAME 2 Central Missouri 3 UMary 2
UMary sophomore
Paxton Thompson tossed four straight scoreless innings and allowed just one earned run in the first five innings to give the Marauders a chance to gain a split on the day. The Mules denied the Marauders victory hopes with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, finishing Sunday's sweep and claiming three of the four games.
PIVOT POINT
After allowing a first inning run, Thompson kept the Mules in check the next four innings, allowing no runs on one hit with the Marauders leading 2-1. Central Missouri's leadoff hitter reached when he was hit by a pitch and the third batter singled. Both eventually scored on wild pitches to give the Mules a 3-2 lead. Refusing to fade away, the Marauders loaded the based in the top of the seventh on a pair of singles and an error but a double play grounder to third ended the threat. UMary had runners reach in both the 8
th and 9
th innings but couldn't find an equalizer.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mason Huntley was 2-for-4 with the Marauders lone RBI of the night
- Quentin Evers and Jaxon Kostka both were 1-for-4 with a run scored, with the Evers hit a double
- James Martin had a single and a walk
- Paxton Thompson allowed three runs on five hits and a walk in 5.2 innings, striking out one
- Paxton Milled tossed 2.1 shutout and hitless innings, striking out two while walking one
- UCM's Tyler Kuhlmann struck out seven and didn't allow a hit in three innings of scoreless relief
STAT OF THE GAME
Just as they did in the opener, the Marauders posted more hits than the Mules 8-5
UP NEXT
After playing the last three weekends, the Marauders are next slated to visit Concordia-St. Paul on March 18 for a doubleheader to open Northern Sun play.
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