CARY, N.C. – The No. 4-seeded University of Central Missouri Mules Baseball team fell to the No. 5-seeded University of Texas at Tyler Patriots, 8-3, in the opening game of the 2026 NCAA Division II World Series on Friday afternoon, May 29, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
The Mules (39-16) will face the loser of the No. 1 seed West Chester vs. No. 8 seed UIndy opening round contest in an elimination game on Sunday, May 31, at 12:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. ET) in Cary, N.C.
The Patriots (49-12) scored four runs in the top of the first inning, then added two each in the top of the fifth and eighth for the wire-to-wire victory.
Cole Kreisel went 2-for-4 with an RBI,
Kaleb Ceola was 2-for-3 with a double,
Kaiden Ashton was 1-for-1 with an RBI, and
Grant Hollister tallied a double, pacing UCM offensively in the game.
Central Missouri starting pitcher
Sawyer Allen (8-2) suffered the loss on the mound after giving up six runs – four earned – on six hits with three strikeouts and four walks in five innings of work.
Kaston Mason was 3-for-5 with two doubles, and Cole Ketner was 1-for-4 with a three-run homer, leading UT Tyler at the plate.
Patriot starting pitcher Dylan Blomquist (6-2) earned the victory on the rubber, surrendering zero earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks in eight innings.
For the game, UT Tyler outhit UCM, 10-8.
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