Springfield, Mo. - The Central Methodist Baseball team saw its conference tournament run come to an end with a pair of losses Monday in Springfield, Missouri.
Central fell to Mount Mercy University by a score of 4-1 in their first game of the day, moving them to the elimination side of the bracket. The Eagles then lost in a thrilling game to Park on a walkoff home run, 10-9.
Against the Mustangs, Mount Mercy jumped out in front with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. Central cut the deficit in half when Carlos Negron scored Bobby Nichols on a bases loaded groundout in the bottom of the sixth.
However, Central was unable to add any additional runs in the inning. Mount Mercy's pitching staff held the Eagles to just one run on six hits for the entirity of the game.
Clayton Burke got the start on the bump, throwing seven complete innings and striking out six. Alexander Billo and Alfred Ulloa also saw action on the mound through the final two innings.
In a win-or-go-home situation, Central plated five runs in the opening inning against Park. The Pirates responded with seven runs in the bottom half of the second to pull ahead, 7-5.
Both pitching staffs settled down, as the next run was not scored until sixth inning. CMU cut the deficit to one on an RBI single from Valentin Cerna Jr., before Park extended its lead to three with two runs in the bottom half of the frame.
Central continued to battle, tying the game in the eighth with three runs on four hits. Peyton Becker got the scoring started with an RBI double down the left field line to score Diego Da Rin.
With the bases loaded, Negron reached on a fielder's choice to the infield which scored Becker. The final run of the inning came off the bat of Jeremy Conforti, who singled to left field to score Cerna Jr.
Both sides remained even at 9-9 entering the bottom of the ninth. With the Pirates up to bat, Victor Sanchez-Ramos hit a walk-off home run to left field to win the game for Park 10-9.
Conforti led the Eagles bats with four hits and four RBI, including a three-RBI triple in the first. Nichols, Cerna Jr., and Da Rin all picked up two hits, highlighted by a pair of doubles for Da Rin.
Central will now turn its attention to the national tournament, beginning with the Opening Round next week in Fayette.
The Eagles will find out what teams they will be hosting during the NAIA Baseball Selection Show, set for Thursday, May 9 at 4:00 p.m. on the NAIA Youtube page.
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