Mules Advance In MIAA Tournament

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The Mules rallied with three runs in the seventh inning to beat Nebraska-Kearney 7-5 on Friday night at Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field to sweep their MIAA Tournament first round series. With the win, the Mules advance to the MIAA Tournament Final Four next Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Lopers (29-21) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single from Connor Messinger, a second run came across when the ball was misplayed in right field. The Mules (30-20) answered right back with three runs of their own in the bottom half. Derek Cornell drove in the first run of the game with a single through the right side of the infield, it was his sixth RBI of the series. Jackson Schnurbusch added a two-run single to put UCM in front.

The Lopers went back in front in the fifth on Anthony Pacheco's two-run single to center, but the Mules tied the game in the bottom half on Dusty Maas' RBI double down the left field line.

Nebraska-Kearney once again seized the lead on a Dillon Schroeder RBI double in the sixth to lead 5-4.

Bennett Oliver drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh and tied the game when he came all the way around from first to score on Dylan Hanson's pinch-hit double down the left field line. Hanson scored when Schnurbusch's sacrifice bunt attempt was thrown in to right field to give UCM a 6-5 lead. The Mules tacked on another run when Schnurbusch scored on a squeeze bunt by Colton Hilbrenner to make it 7-5.

That was more than enough for Jake Heissler (6-1) who pitched three innings of perfect relief. He struck out five of the nine batters he faced to earn the win. Starter Ricky Rivera allowed five runs, only two earned, on 11 hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Chayse Gulzow (1-3) took the loss for UNK after allowing three runs, one earned, on one hit in one-third of an inning of work.

(Courtesy of UCM Athletics)