The Central Missouri bats came alive as the Mules pounded out 15 hits en route to a 14-4 run-rule victory over Northwest Missouri in the series finale on Monday afternoon at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field. The win gave the Mules a series split with the Bearcats and improved UCM's record to 8-7 overall and 4-4 in MIAA play.

The Mules jumped on top 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Dusty Maas led off with a single, one of four hits in the game for him, and came around to score on Trevor Jones' RBI triple. The centerfielder bobbled the ball in the outfield allowing Jones to come all the way around and score on the hit.

The Bearcats (6-9, 4-4 MIAA) tied the game with a pair of runs of their own in the top of the third. Nick Howard had an RBI fielder's choice to drive in one and Nick Gotta scored on an attempted steal by Howard. Gotta was able to cross home plate before Howard was tagged out in a run down.

UCM went back in front 3-2 on Trevor Ezell's sacrifice fly in the fourth. The Mules blew the game wide open scoring six runs in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth. Jones, John Oliver, Jake Alexander, and Ezell all had RBI singles in the fifth and Maas added a two-run single as well. In the sixth, Bennett Oliver, J. Oliver, Alexander and Maas all had RBI singles and B. Oliver also scored on a passed ball to put UCM in front 14-2.

The Bearcats scored two unearned runs in the seventh, but Blake Kolons recorded got Steven Garber to ground out to end the inning and give UCM the run-rule victory.

Maas finished the 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Jones and Alexander both finished the day 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. J. Oliver and Ezell both drove in a pair.

Ricky Rivera (2-1) picked up the win after allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings of work. He struck out five and walked two. Kolons pitched the seventh for UCM.

Nikko Pablo (1-2) took the loss for Northwest Missouri after giving up nine runs, seven earned, on nine hits in 4.2 innings pitched.

The Mules return to action on Thursday as they open a four-game series at Southwest Baptist with a single nine-inning game at 3 p.m. Friday's doubleheader will start at 2 p.m. and Saturday's single game will have a 1 p.m. first pitch.

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