JOPLIN, Mo. — Game Three of the NCAA Division II Central Regional I bracket has wrapped up, and in the winner's bracket, the fourth-seeded Muleriders took on the top-seeded Missouri Southern State Lions. In a defensive showdown, the Lions ended up clinched the outing with a final score of 2-1, which moves MSSU on to regional championship Saturday tomorrow. Southern Arkansas will now look to claim the second spot on Saturday, as the Blue and Gold will take on the winner between fifth-seeded St. Cloud State and eighth-seeded Augustana.
Central Regional Semifinals vs Missouri Southern State | L, 2-1
Emma Duncan made her 36th start of the season, in which she also pitched her 22nd complete game. In her 6.0 innings of work, Duncan allowed just four hits and two runs, while also accepting for two walks, two hit batters, and two strikeouts.
Southern Arkansas was led in batting by Peyton Raley, as the junior was 2-for-2 at the plate with a run scored on a single by America Rubio.
To begin the game, SAU looked to snatch momentum early, as Maddie Leal led the game off with a walk. While she did advance to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sophia Luetticke, the unit saw the next two runners go down, leaving one on base.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Lions started with two outs, but then Katie Gray drew a walk and stole second before Carson Tinkler grounded out with the next at bat.
After a three-up-three-down top half of the second for SAU, MSSU got the runs they needed to eventually secure the contest, as the group recorded a lead-off single that nearly got through the infield if not for an impressive grab by Ame Rubio. After the first out of the frame, MSSU then singled and drew a walk to load the bases. Following a pop out for the second of the frame, Bailey Dillon singled to bat in two runs for the 2-0 lead.
That two-run lead lasted up until the top of the sixth, as Raley led off with a singled slapped to second base. After two outs in the field, which included a ground out by Luetticke to advance Raley to second, Rubio singled and batted in Raley to cut the deficit in half and snag some momentum. Coming into pinch run for Rubio, Kelsie Adams took second and soon made her way to second, as Regan Dillon drew a four-pitch walk and was subbed for pinch runner Briana Jones. Paris Endris then came to the plate, but was unable to finish her at bat as the Lions caught Jones hoping to take second to take back the momentum from the Muleriders.
Following another shutout frame in the bottom of the sixth, SAU looked to get back to where they left off, but was unable to with a line out, fly out, and ground out to end the contest.
Up Next:
The Muleriders now await for the 7:00 PM slot later tonight, in which Team 28 will face the winner between fifth-seeded St. Cloud State and eighth-seeded Augustana.
