The third-seeded Central Methodist Eagles cruised to an 11-4 victory over fourth-seeded Mount Mercy for the Heart of America Athletic Conference title on Monday night in Ozark.

CMU knocked off second-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene and No. 1 Grand View earlier in the weekend to punch their ticket to the title game. Monday’s championship win over MMU resulted in the program’s third conference tournament title in the last five years and the first since 2022. The Eagles are now winners of eight consecutive games and have averaged more than 12 runs a game in each of those wins.

The Eagles also packed the All-Tournament team with seven selections. Tanner Sears (catcher), David Soriano (shortstop), Valentin Cerna Jr. (infield), Ryan Malzahn (outfield), Carlos Negron (outfield), Kyle Williams (designated hitter), and Foster Seitz (starting pitcher) were recognized for their individual performances during the tournament.

Malzahn was named Tournament MVP after hitting .529 with six home runs, two doubles, and driving in 13 RBI with 10 runs scored in the Eagles’ four games.

Central broke onto the scoreboard first in Monday’s championship, as a ground out from Malzahn was deep enough to score Cerna Jr. from third in the top of the first. The Mustangs tied the game in the bottom half of the frame before Williams homered to left field in the third to give Central a 4-1 lead.

In that same inning, a solo home run from Malzahn and a Gavin Whitehurst RBI-single extended Central’s lead to 6-1.

Mount Mercy chipped into the deficit with two runs in the third.

CMU didn’t plate its next run until the seventh, as Negron singled to left to score Malzahn. The Eagles put the finishing touches on the game with four runs in the eighth. Aaron Guess Jr. scored on a wild pitch from third before Sears blasted a three-run home run to left, making the final score 11-3 in favor of the Eagles.

Seitz earned his 11th win of the year on the bump. Pitching on short rest, he tossed five complete innings and allowed just one earned run on six hits while striking out three.

Landon Winingham and Cesar Morales each threw two innings, holding the Mustangs off the scoreboard while striking out two each.

Central will now turn its attention to the national tournament, beginning with the Opening Round next week. The Eagles will find out where and who they will play during the NAIA Baseball Selection Show this afternoon (Wednesday) at 4 p.m.