MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University and University of Central Missouri put on a pitching display Saturday at the Bearcat Baseball Field as the Mules down the home squad, 4-0.

Bearcat starter Max Spitzmiller pitched his second career complete game as he scattered five hits and struck out eight. The Mules managed four runs (all earned) and two walks off the Bearcat hurler.

UCM used four pitchers for a combined shutout of the Bearcats. The Mules limited Northwest to three hits, four walks and three hit batters. Collin Jones got the win as he went the first five innings and allowed only two hits.

The Mules got on the board first with a home run in the second from John Prudhom. The Mules added three runs in the third but managed only one hit in the inning. The Mules scored on a groundout, double and a balk.

Ryan Koski got Northwest's first hit of the game in the bottom of the second. Caden Opfer led off the fifth with a single to shortstop and moved to second on a wild pitch, but could not advance past second. Drew Mackie tallied the third Bearcat hit of the game in the bottom of the eighth to put runners on first and second after Koski drew a walk. But a strikeout and fly out ended the scoring threat.

Northwest and UCM will meet again Sunday at 1 p.m. for game two of the three-game series.