Andrew Mather | University Photographer

Baseball 4/20/2026 3:00:00 PM

No. 16 Mules Baseball Heads to Washburn Tuesday for Midweek MIAA Test

First Pitch

No. 16-ranked University of Central Missouri Mules Baseball (30-11, 20-9 MIAA) is scheduled to travel to Topeka, Kan., for a midweek MIAA game against the Washburn Ichabods (18-25, 14-15 MIAA) on Tuesday, April 21, at 4 p.m. at Falley Field at Steve Anson Stadium.
The Mules are coming off a 6-4 setback at Emporia State on Sunday, April 19, in Emporia, Kan.
Through 41 games, UCM is paced at the plate by infielders Chase Wilcox (.360 avg., .973 OPS, 30 R, 45 H, 6 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 31 BB, .485 OB%, 14 SB), Grant Hollister (.385 avg., 1.054 OPS, 27 R, 37 H, 15 2B, 2 3B, 28 RBI, .583 SLG%, 11 BB, .471 OB%, 10 SB), Cole Funkhouser (.356 avg., 1.016 OPS, 47 R, 47 H, 11 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 41 RBI, .545 SLG%, 24 BB, .471 OB%, 18 SB), Cole Kreisel (.344 avg., 1.043 OPS, 40 R, 33 H, 7 2B, 3 HR, 24 RBI, .510 SLG%, 19 BB, .533 OB%, 17 SB), and Collin Dobson (.329 avg., .970 OPS, 23 R, 24 H, 5 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, .507 SLG%, 11 BB, .463 OB%, 3 SB), and outfielders Ryker Edwards (.381 avg., .953 OPS, 29 R, 48 H, 6 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, .508 SLG%, 17 BB, .445 OB%, 11 SB), Brock Kobel (.342 avg., .990 OPS, 28 R, 40 H, 10 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 29 RBI, .538 SLG%, 23 BB, .452 OB%, 12 SB), and Kaiden Ashton (.333 avg., .898 OPS, 33 R, 41 H, 7 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 35 RBI, 31 BB, .451 OB%, 10 SB).
On the mound, Central Missouri is led by left-handers Sawyer Allen (5-1, 2.42 ERA, 48.1 IP, 34 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 11 BB, 52 SO, .193 opp. avg.) and Chris Massey (2-0, 3.75 ERA, 24.0 IP, 19 H, 16 R, 10 ER, 11 BB, 30 SO, .209 opp. avg.), and right-handers Gavin Williams (5-0, 3.37 ERA, 1 CG, 1 SV, 34.2 IP, 19 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 13 BB, 30 SO, .167 opp. avg.) and Greyson Chappel (1-2, 2.73 ERA, 33.0 IP, 19 H, 13 R, 10 ER, 23 BB, 45 SO, .170 opp avg.).
Through 41 contests, the Mules are hitting .328 while holding opponents to .224. The Central Missouri pitching staff has a 4.70 ERA in 339 innings pitched, while the Mules' opponents have an ERA of 8.79 in 328.2 innings.
The Mules lead the MIAA in fielding (.981 pct.), rank third in hitting (.328 avg.), and fourth in pitching (4.70 ERA) through 41 games.
In the latest NCAA-II National Statistics, UCM ranks second in triples (21), third in stolen bases (159) and fielding percentage (.981), and 10th in walks (262).

Going for Three

The Mules lead the MIAA and are second in NCAA Division II in triples through 41 contests with 21. In UCM's 19-12 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith on March 22, UCM tied the single-game record for triples with four. It was the first time since 2007 that Central Missouri has hit four triples in a game.

Swiping Bases

Through 41 games, Central Missouri has 159 stolen bases in 188 attempts. The Mules have held their opponents to just 36 stolen bags in 50 attempts so far this season. UCM's 159 stolen bases are third in NCAA Division II this season.

Mules in the Rankings

The Mules are ranked No. 14 in the most recent NCBWA Division II Top 25 (April 15), No. 18 in the latest Division 2 Baseball Top 25 (April 20), and No. 16 in the latest ABCA Division II Coaches' Top 25 (April 14).
UCM was picked first in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

Series History vs. Washburn

Tuesday's game against Washburn will mark the 133rd meeting in the all-time series going back to 1983. The Mules lead the series, 102-30. UCM and Washburn have met twice so far this season, with the Mules winning in Topeka, 7-6, on March 10, and 13-0 in seven innings on March 24 in Warrensburg.

UCM During the Crookes Era

Kyle Crookes has a 476-158 (.751) record in his 12th season as head coach at Central Missouri.
Crookes is the winningest coach in Mules Baseball history with his 476 victories.
In 2016, he won his first conference championship as head coach at UCM. He added a tournament title in 2018 and his second regular-season championship in 2019. The 2021 season brought Crookes his third MIAA regular-season and tournament championship, and the 2022 season marked Crookes's fourth regular-season and tournament titles. UCM's 2023 regular season and tournament titles were the fifth with Crookes as the skipper. The 2024 regular season crown was the sixth for Crookes, while the Mules' 2025 regular season title marks the seventh for Crookes as head coach.
Crookes has won up to 13 MIAA Championships, seven regular season and six tournament.
He also has five regional championships to his credit in 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024, and 2025.
During his 11 seasons at the helm, 116 players have earned All-MIAA honors, including 36 First Team nods, Players of the Year in Erik Webb in 2019, Dusty Stroup in 2021, Brennen van Breusegen in 2022 and 2024, and Jacob Steele in 2025, Pitcher of the Year Conner Wolf in 2024, and Freshman of the Year Jack Scott in 2024 and Cole Kreisel in 2025. Thirty-three players have earned All-Region honors, 17 All-American, and eight players have been selected in the MLB Draft.
The Mules were 71-29 in Crookes' two seasons as an assistant coach and captured the 2014 MIAA Regular Season Championship. The Mules garnered five First Team All-MIAA selections and three All-America honors during his two years as an assistant.
Crookes compiled a 292-164 overall record in eight seasons as the head coach at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College before taking over as an assistant coach at UCM.

Mules Baseball History

The 2026 season marks the 70th in the storied history of Mules Baseball. During that span, the Mules have compiled a 2,234-844-9 record in 3,087 games played.
The Mules have won 40 or more games 24 times, including 14 straight seasons from 1999-2012, and have won 50 or more games 10 times.
The Mules have won or shared 31 MIAA regular season championships, 16 MIAA tournament championships, captured 21 regional titles, and two national championships (1994, 2003).

Mules Baseball by the Numbers

35 NCAA Regional Appearances (27 of the last 30 years)
31 MIAA Regular Season Titles
16 MIAA Tournament Titles
21 Regionals as host site
21 Regional Championships
16 Top Five national finishes
5 Third-place finishes
3 National Runners Up finishes
2 National Championships

Quick Hits

Central Missouri totaled 52 wins in 2024. The Mules have won at least 30 games in each of the 12 full seasons under Coach Crookes. They won 20 of 23 games in 2020 before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Mules have finished with a winning record in each of the last 38 seasons.

Up Next

Central Missouri travels to Edmond, Okla., for a three-game MIAA series at Central Oklahoma April 24-26.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#8 Jacob Steele: INF; 6' 2"; Senior; R/R

#36 Conner Wolf: RHP; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#15 Sawyer Allen: LHP; 6' 1"; Senior; L/L

#7 Collin Dobson: INF; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R

#1 Cole Funkhouser: INF; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore; R/R

#13 Grant Hollister: INF; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#23 Brock Kobel: OF; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior; R/R

#11 Cole Kreisel: INF; 5' 9"; Sophomore; L/R

#14 Chris Massey: LHP; 5' 9"; Junior; L/L

#16 Jack Scott: RHP; 6' 4"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#8 Jacob Steele
: 6' 2"; Senior; R/R
: INF

#36 Conner Wolf
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#15 Sawyer Allen
: 6' 1"; Senior; L/L
: LHP

#7 Collin Dobson
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman; R/R
: INF

#1 Cole Funkhouser
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#13 Grant Hollister
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#23 Brock Kobel
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior; R/R
: OF

#11 Cole Kreisel
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; L/R
: INF

#14 Chris Massey
: 5' 9"; Junior; L/L
: LHP

#16 Jack Scott
: 6' 4"; Junior; R/R
: RHP