The Central Missouri Mules got a game-changing grand slam in the bottom of the fifth and went on to post an 8-3 win over Lincoln in baseball action Friday.
The Mules struck first, scoring a run in the bottom of the first. But Lincoln came back and tied it in the second when Brian Patrick doubled, went to third on a groundout and scored on a groundout by Cie Arell.
UCM then got two runs in the bottom of that inning to make it 3-1.
The Blue Tigers got a run in the third when Cedric Belt's double scored Cody Kempker that made it 3-2.
Lincoln then tied it in the fifth when James Johndrow singled, went to third on a single by Chris Pfau and scored when Adam Rush grounded into a double play.
But the Mules made it 7-3 with the grand slam in the bottom of that inning and never looked back, adding the game's final run in the seventh.
Johndrow was the only Blue Tiger with multiple hits, as he had a pair of singles.
The Mules (19-4 overall, 14-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) outhit the Blue Tigers 12-9.
Taylor Klugman started and took the loss for Lincoln (6-12 overall, 5-12 MIAA). He pitched 5 2 /3 innings and gave up seven earned runs on nine hits while striking out three.
Ian Fuemmeler followed and gave up one earned run on three hits while striking out two in 1 1 /3 innings. Josh Eutsler finished up by pitching a hitless inning.
The teams will play a pair of seven-inning games today.