JOPLIN, Mo. (May 12, 2017) – Central Missouri had its run in the MIAA Tournament come to an end late on Friday night with a 4-1 loss to No. 11 Emporia State. The Mules were held to just one hit in the game, but weren't without chances as they stranded seven on the night thanks in part to six walks.
The Hornets (40-10) struck first with a two-run triple in the second inning. A leadoff walk and a hit by pitch, which appeared and sounded to hit the bat instead of the batter's hand, put runners at first and second with one out for Wade Hanna. He roped a triple to deep center to give ESU the lead.
Steven D'Amico retired 13 straight Hornets after that before a two-out infield single in the top of the sixth. He promptly got a line out to end the inning and keep it at a two-run deficit.
The Mules got one back in the bottom of the sixth. Three walks loaded the bases with one out and forced an ESU pitching change. Jacob Tetuan came on to get a popout for the second out before a wild pitch allowed
Blake Wilfong to score, but Tetuan got a strikeout to keep Emporia State in front 2-1.
The Hornets got that run right back in the top of the seventh. Mack Gowing led off the inning with a triple and scored with one out on BJ Dean's bunt single. It could have been more, but
Travis Able made a great running catch in the left field corner and threw back to second to double up the Hornets and end the inning at 3-1.
Able made another great play in the top of the eighth inning. Ryan McBroom singled to the gap in left center, but Able cut the ball off and threw a dart to second to gun down McBroom trying to stretch it into a double.
The Mules threatened in the bottom half, putting two on with two outs, but couldn't push any runs across.
ESU added a run in the top of the ninth to take a 4-1 lead. Mason Brown doubled to lead off, went to third on a failed pickoff attempt and scored on Gowing's single.
The Mules put one runner on with two outs in the ninth, but Hanna made a leaping catch of
Jackson Schnurbusch's ball at the wall in left to end the game.
D'Amico (7-2) was the tough luck loser for UCM, allowing three runs on just three hits while striking out a season-high nine over 6.1 innings.
Tanner Cairns (8-1) earned the win for ESU, allowing just one run on one hit in 5.1 innings. He walked four and struck out two. Nathan Whitcomb picked up his 10th save of the season recording the final five outs.
The Mules must now wait until Sunday night to find out if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA-II Central Regional. UCM was No. 6 in this week's regional poll and the top eight in Sunday night's poll will earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
