CMU Moves Into the NAIA World Series Finals

Central Methodist will play in the finals of the NAIA World Series. The Eagles fell behind home state favorite Lewis and Clark State, Idaho and rallied for an 8-5 victory in an elimination game in Lewiston, Idaho on Wednesday. Lewis and Clark jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. Mason Schwellenbach doubled and scored to get one back in the top of the second. The Warriors went up 4-1 in the top of the third. CMU scored once in the bottom of the third and tied the game 4-4 in the fourth thanks to Adrian Martinez’ 9th home run of the year. In the 7th, the Eagles had three straight hits including back-to-back doubles by Logan Haring and Sergio Macias to take the lead for good. Max McCay’s sacrifice fly made the score 7-4 and Macias had an RBI double in the 8th to push the lead to four. Nick Merkel worked eight innings in temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees, struck out nine and gave up four runs to get the win. He threw 135 pitches.

CMU will play Georgia Gwinnett in the championship game tonight (Thur.) at 8:30 central time. Gwinett defeated Faulkner, Alabama 15-10 to stay undefeated in the tournament. The Eagles will have to win to force a second championship game on Friday. CMU lost to Georgia Gwinnett on Tuesday 8-3.