No. 2 Mules Baseball Falls Short in MIAA Tournament Championship Game, 18-16

PITTSBURG, Kan. – No. 2-ranked and top-seeded Central Missouri Mules baseball fell to No. 7-ranked and second-seeded Missouri Southern, 18-16, in the 2024 MIAA Tournament Championship Game Saturday, May 11, at Al Ortolani Field on the Pittsburg State University campus.

The Mules (47-8) will compete in the 2024 NCAA Division II Central Region tournament May 16-19 at a to be determined location against a to be determined opponent. UCM will find out its opponent and tournament location during the NCAA-II Baseball Championship Selection Show Sunday, May 12, at 9:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.  

Cole Moore went 4-for-5 with his fourth homer of the season, four runs and three RBIs while Jack Schark was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs, Carter Young was 2-for-3 with two runs and a RBI, and Chase Heath was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs, leading UCM at the plate.

Central Missouri reliever Harrison Babbitt (3-2) suffered the setback on the mound after giving up three earned runs on four hits with one strikeout and two walks in two innings.

Henry Kusiak was 3-for-5 with a home run, double, three runs and four RBIs while Ethan Clark was 3-for-6 with a double and four RBIs, leading Missouri Southern (42-13) offensively.

Lion reliever Laif Hultine (2-3) earned the victory on the rubber, allowing no earned runs on two hits with five strikeouts and zero walks in 3 2/3 innings.

Moore, Schark, Brennen van Breusegen, Heath and pitcher Jonah Walker were all named to the MIAA All-Tournament Team.
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