WARRENSBURG, Mo. — The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team came up short against the No. 8 University of Central Missouri despite three home runs and a late seventh inning rally.
 
Central Missouri improved their record to 20-5 and 11-3 in the MIAA while Northwest drops their record to 17-7 and 7-3 in the conference.
 
Northwest Missouri State hit three home runs, but UCM's two home runs and eight walks contributed to its victory.
 
Northwest Missouri State took an early lead in the first inning with Jeremiah Cabuyaban's solo home run to left field. The Mules remained scoreless, making it 1-0 after one inning.
 
In the second inning, Northwest Missouri State extended its lead. Wilmer Jimenez singled and advanced to third before Michael Good's RBI single brought him home. Leonardo May followed with a two-run homer, scoring Good and pushing the lead to 4-0. UCM was held scoreless in the bottom half, keeping the score 4-0.
 
UCM responded in the third inning, narrowing the gap. Cody Moore hit a solo home run, and a sacrifice fly by Kaiden Ashton brought in another run, making it 4-2 through three innings.
 
The Mules surged ahead in the fourth inning, scoring five runs. The inning included a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch, leading to a 7-4 advantage for the Mules after four innings.
 
Northwest Missouri State went scoreless in the fifth inning, while UCM added two more runs with an inside-the-park home run by Cole Kreisel, increasing its lead to 9-4.
 
In the seventh inning, Northwest Missouri State mounted a rally. Jordi Ventura doubled, and Chester Brooks hit a three-run homer, cutting the deficit to 9-7. Brooks's performance was a highlight, as he recorded a season-high of 3 runs batted in during this game. The Mules did not score in their half, keeping the score 9-7.
 
The Mules added two insurance runs in the eighth inning, courtesy of a passed ball and an RBI double by Collin Dobson, bringing the score to 11-7.
 
Northwest Missouri State was unable to score in the ninth inning, leading to an 11-7 final score in favor of UCM.
 
Ben Haug started the game for Northwest Missouri State, pitching 3 2/3 innings while allowing six earned runs on seven hits, including one home run, and striking out three batters. Landon Wells faced two batters without recording an out, issuing two walks and allowing one earned run. Jase Johnson pitched 1 1/3 innings, conceding two earned runs on one hit, a home run, and two hit batters, while striking out two. Tyson Hilsabeck provided 2 innings of relief, surrendering one earned run on one hit with two walks. Diego De Santiago closed with 1 inning, allowing one hit and striking out one, keeping the opposition from scoring further.
 
Chester Brooks delivered a strong performance, hitting a home run and collecting three RBIs in the game. Jeremiah Cabuyaban added to the team's tally with a solo home run, contributing one RBI and scoring once. Leonardo May showcased his power by recording a home run, driving in two runs, and crossing the plate twice himself. Michael Good added two hits and one RBI, rounding out the top performers for Northwest Missouri State.
 
Next Up:
The Bearcats will continue their road trip this week, traveling to Topeka, Kan., to face Washburn University in a three-game series on Friday, March 20. The first game is set to begin at 4 p.m. CT.