February 26, 2007

Warrensburg, MO - An 11-run outburst blew apart what had been a tight game as the University of Mary lost 18-2 to the University of Central Missouri, the nation’s 12-ranked NCAA Division II team.

Leading 1-0, the Mules scored 11 runs in the home half of the fourth inning to take a 12-0 lead. The Marauders would break through in the sixth when sophomore catcher Brennan Quintas (Dickinson, ND) hit a solo home run, his second of the year.

UCM expanded its lead with another five runs in the seventh and a solitary run in the eighth. U-Mary closed the scoring when freshman shortstop/pitcher Andy Leer (Williston, ND) hit his first home run of the year.

Leer led the Marauders with a 2-for-4 effort with a walk at the plate. He led off the game with a double before homering in the ninth. Leer also pitched the eighth inning. DH Casey Gray (Wheaton, MN) added a double in three at bats for U-Mary.

Junior starting pitcher Matt Leer (Williston, ND) took the loss for U-Mary, evening his record at 1-1. Winning pitcher Kris Webber improves to 3-0 after pitching five shutout innings, allowing just three hits.

The Marauders fall to 1-4 with the loss. UCM improves to 6-2.

The two teams will tangle again on Tuesday, February 27, n another nine-inning game at 2:00 p.m. at UCM in Warrensburg, MO. This game is a newly scheduled contest for U-Mary after the Marauders game against Winona State on Sunday was scratched due to poor weather.