Series Win Secures Wildcats’ First Postseason Berth Since 2021
Meier’s Complete Game Powers Wildcats to Series-Opening Win
The Wildcats struck early with a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Noble Oxford led off with a walk, advanced to second on a pitch, moved to third on a catcher’s error, and then scored on a groundout by Kannon Kirk.
The Ravens answered in the bottom of the second. Matthew Johnson drew a lead-off walk, advanced on a single, and scored on an RBI double by Cooper Milroy to tie the game at one.
Photo Courtesy of C-SC Athletics
Culver-Stockton reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning. Tristan Meny led off with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jeremiah Morris followed with a single to drive in Meny for a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats added an insurance run after Bryan Barreto was hit by a pitch. Eli Friend entered to run, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Ryan Osso’s single to center, helping secure a 3-1 win.
Davin Meier pitched a complete game, going 7.0 innings with 2 hits, 1 earned run, 7 walks, and 4 strikeouts to improve to 2-5 on the season. Oxford finished 1-for-2 with a run scored, and Kirk went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Ravens’ Big Fifth Inning Sinks Wildcats in Game Two
The Ravens struck first, scoring two runs in both the first and third innings to build a 4-0 lead. The Wildcats responded in the fifth, plating three runs to cut the deficit to one. However, Benedictine broke the game open with six runs in the bottom of the fifth, ending Clay Street’s day after 4.2 innings pitched. Culver-Stockton could only manage one more run in the seventh, falling 10-4 in the second game of the doubleheader.
Andujar’s Home Run, Parkhill’s Pitching, Clinches Playoff Berth for Culver-Stockton
With one win needed to clinch a playoff berth, the Wildcats took control of their destiny. In a tightly contested game, Jaison Andujar broke the deadlock with a solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. The pitching staff held strong, stranding seven Ravens hits to preserve the win.
Cole Parkhill pitched a complete game, tossing 7 innings while allowing 7 hits and striking out 7. Andujar finished 1-for-3 with the home run.
Wildcats Seal Series Win Behind Early Offensive Surge
The Wildcats kept the momentum going, scoring four runs in the second inning thanks to a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and two singles. The Ravens cut the lead to 4-2, but Culver-Stockton added another run in the third, with Kendall Rivero scoring for the second time. The Ravens managed one more run in the fifth, but the Wildcats silenced them the rest of the way to secure a 5-3 victory and win the series.
Josh Martini would start the game going 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 SO. Clay Street would come in for relief in the fourth. Getting the win. 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 SO. Jared Marty would go one inning pitched, giving up only one hit. Isaiah Naylor would get credited the save. His fifth on the season. 1 IP, 1 H, 2 SO.
Kendall Rivero went 2-4 on the day. Getting a single and a double, and scoring 2 runs. Eli Friend finished 1-2 on the day, with a hit, a run, and an RBI.
The Wildcats concluded the regular season with a 21-23 overall record and a 15-17 mark in conference play. They posted a strong 8-4 record at home while going 2-13 on the road and 6-6 at neutral sites.
HEART CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
The Wildcats return to the Heart of America Conference Tournament for the first time since 2021. They will enter as the No. 7 seed and face No. 8 seed Clarke University Pride, a team they split a four-game series with earlier this season. Both teams scored 30 runs in that matchup.
The Wildcats and Pride will open the tournament on May 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex in Ozark, Mo. The winner will advance to face No. 2 seed MidAmerica Nazarene at 8:30 p.m. later that day.
The Wildcats last captured the conference title in 2006, finishing a three-peat that began in 2004.
