Mules Suffer First Loss at Regionals to Augustana

MAGNOLIA, Ark. (May 19, 2018) - Central Missouri Mules Baseball suffered their first loss at the NCAA Central Region Tournament Saturday night. The Mules took a lead in teh seventh inning, but couldn't hold on, falling 9-6 to Augustana. The Mules will now have to win three straight games to take the regional championship.

Play-by-Play
• The Vikings got on the board first as a runner reached on a Mule throwing error. He came around to score on Sam Baier's sacrifice fly, making it 1-0.
• The Mules quickly tied the game in the second as Harrison Schnurbusch pulled a double to left, scoring Justin Graff-Rowe who reached on a hit by pitch. 
• Donovan Ditto started a two out rally in the fourth to give the Mules their first lead. He singled through the left side, was followed by a Zak Whalin walk and Mason Janvrin singled to left, scoring Ditto and the Mules lead 2-1.
• Augustana loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning and took a one-run lead right back. They tied the game on a double-play ground out, and with two outs, took the lead on a wild pitch from Brandon Reid.
• After two scoreless innings, the first three batters all reached for the Mules in the seventh, and Justin Graff-Rowe gave UCM a 4-3 lead with a two-RBI single up the middle. The Mules got two more unearned runs in the inning, first on a throwing error on a bunt from Harrison Schnurbusch and the second on Zak Whalin's infield single.
• The lead did not last long though as the Vikings responded with a four-spot of their own a half inning later. The first four batters reached against Mules reliever Coby Seiz. JT Mix got the scoring started with a double to right center. Riley Johnson followed with a single bringing the Vikings within one. Augustana scored their final two runs on some Mules misplays. First a failed pickoff attempt at first allowed Mix to score from third, tying the game. With two outs, Johnson scampered home with the go-ahead run after a wild pitch.
• Augustana got some insurance in the eighth. A lead off walk to Ryan Nickel satrted the inning. He came around to score on Lucas Barry's triple down the right field lead, taking an 8-6 lead. Berry then scored on Ryan Menssen's RBI single up the middle. 
• The Mules got their leadoff hitter in the ninth on base, but he was left stranded at second as the game came to a close. 

Mules Stat Leaders
• Brandon Reid got the start for the Mules and tossed the first six innings. He didn't allow a run, but gave up three unearned runs. He allowed three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
• Harrison Schnurbusch went 2-3 with a double, RBI and run scored.
• Zak Whalin also collected two hits. He reached base four times with two hits, including a double, two walks and picked up an RBI.
• Justin Graff-Rowe led UCM with two RBI. He was 1-3 and scored twice.

For the Vikings
• Lance Barry and Ryan Menssen each went 2-4. Barry scored twice and they both drove in a run.
• JT Mix was 2-3 on the day with a run scored and an RBI.
• Riley Johnson scored twice and had an RBI.
• David Flattery pitched the first five innings. He gave up two runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
• Zach Reeg earned a six-out save. He threw two hitless innings with no runs, two walks and a strikeout.

News and Notes
• Central Missouri did not score first for the first time in Magnolia as the Vikings got the first run of the game in the bottom of the first.
• The loss snapped the Mules six game winning streak.
• Cole Taylor started at third base, making his first start since April 10 against Missouri S&T.
• Central Missouri left 13 runners on base. They drew seven walks and outhit the Vikings 10-9.

Up Next
• The Mules will face elimination for the first time this postseason. They'll face the winner of #3 Central Oklahoma and #1 Southern Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.