Central Missouri put together a three-run second-inning to beat Henderson State 4-1, Friday at Clyde Berry Field in Arkadelphia, Ark.

The No. 2 ranked Mules, 2-0 on the season, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second-inning when Gabe Thibodeau roped a bases-loaded double to left field plating all three base runners.

Central Missouri added another run in the sixth when Chase Graskewicz singled home Jordan Coons to make it 4-0 and that proved to be more than enough for the Mules.

Henderson State looked as if they were going to break through in the sixth-inning as Josh Salmon singled down the leftfield line followed by a single by Michael Corso through the left side.

UCM relief pitcher Dane Krone entered the game replacing starter Chris Fitzpatrick. Brittain Diamond was the first to face Krone. Diamond hit into double play followed by an Andrew Reynolds ground out which ended the Reddie scoring threat.

Henderson State, 6-2 on the season, tallied a run in the eighth-inning on an RBI groundout from Corso that drove in Taylor Coleman who reached base when he was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a Salmon single.

Nathan Eller suffered his first loss of the season falling to 2-1 on the year. Eller pitched 7 innings, allowed 7 hits and walked 7.

UCM's Fitzpatrick earned the win scattering seven hits over five plus innings, while striking out six and walking one.

Salmon led the Reddie offense going 3-for-4 on the afternoon, while Adam Ussery was 2-for-3.

The Reddies and Mules will continue their three-game series with a single nine-inning game Saturday at Noon at Clyde Berry Field.