SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (May 25, 2019) - Central Missouri Baseball swept Augustana in a two-of-three series to punch their ticket to the 2019 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship. After winning 6-4 yesterday, the Mules again got another fine pitching performance on their way to a 5-2 win in game two.

Play-by-Play
• After a 1-2-3 first, an error led to a difficult second for Mules starter Luke Lucas. With the bags full and one out, Lucas won a pair of tough at bats, striking out back-to-back hitters on 3-2 pitches.
• In the bottom of the inning, the Mules scored the game's first run. Josh Scumacher singled and moved to second on a ground ball. Donovan Ditto then went to the opposite field for an RBI single and a 1-0 Mules lead.
• A one-out double put a runner in scoring position for Augustana in the third, but Lucas squashed that threat, picking him off and getting a ground out to end the inning.
• Erik Webb made it a 2-0 game keeping a 3-2 fastball just inside the left field foul pole for a solo home run.
• The Vikings again stranded a pair of runs in the fourth. A two-out rally put runners on the corners, but Harrison Schnurbusch made a nice play at third to help Lucas escape the jam.
• One swing made it a new ball game. An error and a two-run home run from Ryan Nickel tied the game at two in the fifth.
• Augustana pitcher Taylor Brown retired eight straight before Josh Schumacher picked up his third hit of the game to set the table in the sixth. 
• One batter later, Cole Taylor went opposite field for a double off the fence that scored Schumacher all the way from first to gives the Mules the lead back.
• A bunt single from Donovan Ditto put runners on the corners, and Taylor crossed the plate on a wild pitch for the Mules' fourth run.
• Micah Evans made it a three-run sixth driving in a run on a ground ball.
• That was it for the scoring, but the Vikings didn't go down quietly, especially in the ninth. With two outs and nobody on base, back-to-back singles brought the tying run to the plate. On a 3-2 count Bryce Kearns got a groundout to first to end the game.

Mules Stat Leaders
• Josh Schumacher reached base four times with three hits and a walk. He also scored twice.
• Erik Webb had two hits including a solo home run.
• Donovan Ditto picked up two hits in four at bats with a run and an RBI.
• Harrison Schnurbusch and Cole Taylor each had a hit. Taylor also scored an drove in a run.
• Luke Lucas threw the first 4.1 innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits with three strikeouts.
• Coby Seiz allowed a hit in 1.2 scoreless innings.
• Bryce Kearns got the final nine outs allowing two hits in three scoreless innings.

For the Vikings
• Ryan Nickel was 2-5 wit a home run and two RBI.
• Seth Miller collected two hits in four at bats.
• Tanner Brown tossed four innings allowing five runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.
• Derek Dahlke and Ryan Helgeson each pitched 1.1 scoreless innings.  

News and Notes
• This is the Mules 18th NCAA Regional Championships, their first since 2016.
• One game after setting the new single-season record for hits, Mason Janvrin was 0-4 and saw his 56-game (68 games dating back to last year) reached base streak come to an end.
• Central Missouri finished the regional 5-0. The Mules pitching staff pitched to a 2.20 ERA while the offense hit .351 as a team.
• In the five-game regional, Mason Janvrin hit .565 and Josh Schumacher .556.
• This is the second save of the season for Bryce Kearns. His first was also a three-inning save. 
• Donovan Ditto picked up his 50th career RBI.
• In NCAA Regional games, the Mules are 77-26.
• Coby Seiz hasn't allowed a run in his last 8.2 innings pitched dating back to April 6.
• Central Missouri moves to 7-0 this season in games started by Luke Lucas. 

Up Next
• The Mules will head to Cary, N.C. for the NCAA Division II Championship June 1-8. Who they'll face and when their first game will be is still to be determined as teams will be reseeded entering the eight-team tournament.