Central Missouri Rallies Late, Falls to Winona State

CARY, N.C. (UCM Media Relations) – The third-ranked Central Missouri Mules rallied for a comeback late, but fell by a 4-3 score on Saturday afternoon in the opening game of the NCAA Division II World Series against the Winona State (Minn.) Warriors at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

The Mules (49-9) got off to a slow start and just missed on several scoring opportunities in the contest. The Warriors tagged UCM senior right-hander Don Lisi for a run in the first and two more in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead.

They tallied another in the fourth off Lisi, before the Mules brought in junior Adam Maddox to shut the door. He threw 3.1 scoreless innings, before sophomore Aaron Baker relieved him for the final 1.2 frames of action.

The Mules offense didn't record a hit until the fourth inning when senior first baseman Nick DeBiasse drilled a double to left center, putting runners on second and third with one out. After WSU starter Tony Mueller induced a pop-out to make it two outs, the Mules tried for a steal of home. Senior Tyler Ruch was nearly on the base by the time the pitch got there, but Mueller had to hurry his delivery, and hit Albert Selanders with the pitch, making it a dead ball, and sending the runners back to the bases. With the loaded bases, Mueller beared down and got the last out with no damage.

The Mules tallied their first run in the sixth inning after Ruch led off the inning with a single to right. He advanced to second after DeBiasse was robbed of an extra base hit by WSU third baseman Jared Anderson, who dived towards the line to snag the drive. After Jon Wegener got on with a hit-by-pitch, they both moved to second and third thanks to a wild pitch. Selanders drove Ruch home on a ground out to the third baseman, who made another diving grab.

In the ninth, the Mules were close to tying it as Frank Specht tallied a one-out single, followed by a line drive by Will Mulligan that was snagged by the shortstop to make it two outs and leave only one on base. Senior Matt LaGree pinch hit in the next at-bat, and smacked a home run through the heavy air just over the left field wall to make it 4-3. UCM drew a walk in the next at-bat to bring the winning run to the plate, but a pop-up ended the contest.

The Mules recorded only five hits, but drew three walks and two hit-by-pitches, leaving seven on base. WSU had eight hits, but only two over the final five innings.

Central Missouri will head to the elimination bracket on Monday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. (CST) against the loser of the Mount Olive (N.C.) vs. Millersville (Pa.) game.