#MustangsWin! CBC Sweeps Series From Hannibal-LaGrange on Senior Day!

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Conway, Ark. – Looking to finish a series sweep for the second time this season, Central Baptist College baseball hosted the Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans in an American Midwest Conference doubleheader on Senior Day at Bear Stadium. CBC (25-20, 21-11 AMC) finished the sweep of HLGU (7-27, 6-26 AMC) winning 7-4 and 4-0.

            16 seniors, the largest class ever for the baseball team, were honored before the games. Included in the pregame festivities was a plaque awarded to head coach Dr. Aaron Brister recognizing his 500^th win and outgoing President Terry Kimbrow threw out the first pitch recognizing his retirement after 18 years as president.

GAME THREE – CBC 7, HLGU 4

            The Mustangs struck quickly in the second inning, scoring four runs to take a 4-0 lead. Jaxon Kirkhuff brought home the first run with a single followed by a sac fly from Chett McDaniel, a double by George Astacio and a single by Ryan Dauphinee in four consecutive plate appearances. The lead was cut in half in the top of the third before Aaron Prince made it 5-2 in the bottom half with his second home run of the season. CBC's final two runs came in the fourth on an Astacio double and a single by Brayden Mayencourt. HLGU would score in the fifth, but that was all they mustered against stout relief. Josh Albat earned his second win of the season with four innings of three-hit, three-run ball with a pair of walks and four strikeouts. Hunter Belton picked up a save, pitching the final three innings and allowing two hits and an unearned run with four Ks as well.

GAME FOUR – CBC 4, HLGU 0

            The final game of the series was a pitcher's dual as neither team scored until the sixth, when CBC struck for four runs. Garrett Fitts broke the deadlock with a double to center field to make it 1-0 before a single by Kirkhuff and a two-run double by Astacio gave Gram Middleton all the support he needed. Middleton earned his second win, throwing six-and-one-third innings of three-hit baseball with four walks and 10 strikeouts. Landon Hitchcock threw four pitches in the seventh to earn his second save, getting out of a bases loaded, one out jam with a double play to end the game.

UP NEXT

            The Mustangs wrap up the regular season next weekend when they head to Walnut Ridge for a four-game set with Williams Baptist. First pitch from Shell Field on Friday is scheduled for noon.