Central Methodist again claimed the regular season Heart title in a tough final series last weekend. The Eagles went just 1-3 in a four-game series against Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, winning their final game of the regular season.

Central closes out the regular season 33-15 overall and 23-7 in the Heart.

Game 1

CMU 2

Culver-Stockton 3

Central opened the series with two runs on Friday. Joseph Weatherford drove in Alan West with an RBI single in the top of the second to score the game’s first run. In the next inning, Robbie Merced tripled to score Bobbie Nichols to give Central a 2-0 lead. 

But Culver answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 3-2 lead, which proved to be the final score.

Sebastian Escobar gave up just one earned in a complete game pitched with 11 strikeouts. The junior right-hander allowed five hits and issued two walks.

Game 2

CMU 7

Culver-Stockton 9

Central took another early lead in game two on Friday. The Eagles jumped out in front early with a pair of runs in the first and third innings to lead 4-0. Sophomore Jeremy Conforti scored Nichols with an RBI double to left field in the first. He was driven home on an RBI single up the middle by West.

After reaching on a single to the pitcher in the top of the third, Merced took advantage of a Culver throwing error to move into scoring position at third base. Sophomore Kaden Doan scored on that throwing error. Merced then came home on an RBI double to left-center by sophomore Tanner Sears to make the score 4-0.

CMU starter Marcus Pritchard held Culver scoreless through four innings, but struggled in the fifth when he allowed four earned runs to score off seven hits, including a home run. The junior right-hander earned just one out in the inning, retiring one batter on strikes before he was relieved by sophomore righty Alfred Ulloa. He gave up two earned runs on two hits, including the Wildcats’ second home run of the inning. 

Trailing 6-4 after five innings, Central tied the game with a two-RBI single from Nichols in the sixth inning. 

Culver once again responded with three runs off two hits in the bottom half of the frame off of CMU sophomore right-hander Larry Riddle, Jr. 

Despite trimming the deficit to 9-7, the Eagles could not complete the comeback in the seventh.

Nichols, Jeremy Conforti, and Alan West each picked up two hits, including two doubles for Conforti and a triple for Nichols. West and Nichols each drove in a pair of runs as well. 

Game 3

CMU 0

Culver-Stockton 1

The Eagles were held scoreless in the low-scoring third game of the series. CMU’s offense was held to just three hits. Tommaso Giarola led with two hits in three at-bats for Central.

West was dealt only his second loss of 2023, throwing six complete innings and giving up just one earned run on six hits and four walks. He finished the day with six strikeouts. 

Game 4

CMU 6

Culver-Stockton 1

The Eagles found a way to finish on top in the series finale on Saturday. 

Sophomore right-hander Clayton Burke picked up his eighth win of the season in 12 starts. He allowed just one earned run on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in a complete game on the mound. 

Central once again took an early lead. Senior Khalil Thrasher got things started in the top of the second. With the bases loaded, he hit a ground ball for a double play, scoring West from third. 

The Eagles added another run in the top of the fourth again off the bat of Thrasher. With runners on first and second, he hit another ground ball, this time to the shortstop, who threw out Weatherford at second base. Junior Tommaso Giarola advanced to third, then scored on a throwing error to put CMU in front 2-0.

Culver cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning, scoring on a sacrifice RBI.  

Leading 2-1, Central scored twice in the top of the fifth inning. The first came off a double down the line by Sears to score Conforti. Sears later scored when Giarola singled to left field.

The Eagles put the game away in the top of the sixth when Conforti hit a two-RBI triple to left field to score Merced and Nichols. 

Conforti and West both collected two hits, including a double and a two-RBI triple for Conforti. Tanner Sears also picked up an RBI single in the fifth inning. 

The Eagles now look to the postseason as they will participate in the Heart Conference Tournament beginning Thursday in Ozark, Missouri. Seeded first, Central earned a first-round bye and will play the winner of an opening-round game between fourth-seeded Baker and fifth-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, May 5. In regular-season action, Central swept Baker in four games and finished 2-2 against MidAm.