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Wegener Has Happy Birthday for Mules
By David Boyce
The 2-run homer Central Missouri junior right fielder Jon Wegener socked in the bottom of the fifth to cap the scoring in the Mules' 12-2 victory over Northwest Missouri was significant for a couple of reasons.
At first glance, Wegener's home run only meant the Mules were on their way to run-rule Northwest Missouri in the first round of the MIAA Baseball Championship Thursday afternoon at Community America Ballpark.
However, the long drive over the leftfield bleachers was meaningful for two reasons for the Raytown native.
For one, the homer came on Wegener's 22nd birthday. More importantly, Wegener was able to redeem himself in the fifth inning after he failed to lay down a sacrifice bunt in the fourth.
“I felt better because I didn't get the bunt down in my previous at bat,” Wegener said. “At this point that strategy has worked well for us.
The Mules take executing fundamentals seriously. It's why they are 43-7 overall, ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division II and owners of the MIAA regular-season crown.
But first it is important to emphasize all the things Wegener did right. After all, it is his birthday.
Wegener went 2 for 3 and drove in three runs in front of his mom and dad and grandfather. He also caught two fly balls.
“It was wonderful,” said his mother, Barbara Wegener. “I have historically missed the home runs he hits so I was very happy to see it.
“He still gets a birthday present. He's entitled to it.”
Incidentally, Wegener's first-ever home run over the fence came on his 12th birthday.
All the talk about home runs on his birthday caused Wegener to laugh in amazement that such information was floating through Community America Ballpark.
Wegener, like the rest of his teammates, was just happy with the way the Mules played in the opening game of the six-team tournament.
It started just a little shaky. Northwest Missouri scored the first run of the game in the top of the first against Brooks Martin.
The Mules quickly responded with two runs in the first and four in the second. That was more than enough runs for Martin, who improved to 10-0.
“It was real nice because I went out in the first inning and gave up a run and then we came back and scored two runs and then we just took off from that,” Martin said. “There's a certain confidence level as a pitcher when you can pitch with a lead.”
Even though Central Missouri had control of the game with a 7-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth, Wegener was upset when he batted with runners on first and second and no outs and failed to get the bunt down.
Wegener wound up striking out in the at bat and was upset that he failed to put down the bunt.
Central Missouri coach Tom Myers said one of the best qualities about this year's team is the way they handle a poor play and bounce back.
“I'm never going to be upset with them when I know they are trying,” Myers said. “I want to see them respond. What I like about this group is they are aware when they make a mistake and they try everything they can to overcome it.”
Wegener proved it in the bottom of the fifth when his home run contributed to a 5-run inning.
“I think we played well,” Wegener said. “Our defense played well. Brooks pitched well. Northwest Missouri is a very aggressive team and he held them to two runs.”
All in all, it was a perfect way for the Mules to begin the conference tournament that concludes with the championship game at 1 p.m. Sunday.
“It's a benefit to get off to a good start,” said Chance Tuttle, who went 2 for 4 with a home run. “It's nice to get the bats rolling. It saves pitching. It puts everybody in a good situation for later in the tournament.”
To reach David Boyce, contributing writer for the MIAA, e-mail dboyce@themiaa.com
