INDIANAPOLIS (April 25, 2018) - Central Missouri Mules Baseball checked in at No. 1 in the first set of the NCAA Central Regional Rankings released on Wednesday afternoon. In the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (NCBWA) top-25 poll, the Mules are ranked No. 23 in the nation.
The Mules are 30-12 overall and 21-9 in MIAA play this season after picking up a 8-0 shutout win over Southwest Baptist on Tuesday, April 24. Augustana (S.D.) owns the No. 2 spot, with Central Oklahoma at No. 3. Pittsburg State and Arkansas-Monticello round out the top five. Also in the rankings out of the MIAA is Northwest Missouri State at No. 9.
Nationally, the Mules fell one spot in the NCBWA top-25 poll. They have now been ranked in each of the last nine polls after starting the season unranked. UCM also continues to be ranked in the ABCA/Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game polls. Both polls has UCM ranked 20th this week.
The top eight teams in the final regional rankings will earn a bid to the NCAA-II Central Regional to be played May 17-21 at a campus site to be determined.
Central Missouri hosts its final three-game home series of the regular season this weekend, Friday-Sunday, April 27-29 against the Missouri Southern Lions. Game times are set for 6 p.m., 2 p.m., and 1 p.m., respectively. Saturday's game is also Senior Day. The Mules will honor their 12 seniors at the conclusion of the game.
|
Central Region |
D-II Overall
Record |
In-Region
Record |
| 1. |
Central Missouri |
29-12 |
26-10 |
| 2. |
Augustana (SD) |
29-2 |
29-2 |
| 3. |
Central Oklahoma |
31-15 |
31-15 |
| 4. |
Pittsburg State |
27-14 |
27-14 |
| 5. |
Arkansas-Monticello |
29-14 |
29-14 |
| 6. |
Southern Arkansas |
28-14 |
28-14 |
| 7. |
Minnesota State |
26-9 |
22-6 |
| 8. |
St. Cloud State |
21-9 |
21-9 |
| 9. |
Northwest Missouri State |
25-17 |
25-17 |
| 10. |
Arkansas Tech |
25-17 |
25-17 |
