WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The No. 4-ranked Central Missouri Mules baseball team saw its 2023 season come to a close Sunday, May 21, after falling to the Augustana (S.D.) Vikings, 8-6, in the NCAA-II Central Regional semifinals at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field.
UCM ends its 2023 campaign with an overall record of 43-15 and as MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Champions.
The Mules carried a 5-2 advantage into the fifth inning before the Vikings (45-18) scored six runs on three-run homers from Drey Dirksen and Ragan Pinnow, gaining an 8-5 lead.
Central Missouri pulled within 8-6 with a run in the top of the seventh inning but couldn't get any closer the remainder of the game.
John Prudhom went 2-for-3 with an RBI,
Mason Lowe was 2-for-3,
Cole Moore was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI and
Vance Tobol was 2-for-4 with a run driven in, leading UCM at the plate.
Central Missouri right-handed starting pitcher
Jake Wilson (3-1) suffered the setback on the mound, giving up six runs – five earned – on seven hits with one strikeout and two walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Dirksen went 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBI, pacing Augustana offensively.
Augie relief pitcher Kai Taylor (4-0) picked up the win on the rubber, allowing no earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk in 3 1/3 inning, while Seth Miller secured his first save of the season after throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout and one walk.
Â
