WARRENSBURG, Mo. — Missouri Southern baseball (32-15, 25-9 MIAA) edged out No. 24-ranked Central Missouri (33-13, 23-11 MIAA) with a 7-6 victory Thursday at Crane Stadium.
The Lions posted two home runs among their 10 hits to secure the narrow win.
With the series-opening victory over UCM, Missouri Southern improved to 32-15 in 2026 and 25-9 in MIAA conference play.
Central Missouri seized the lead in the fourth inning with a five-run surge, highlighted by Ryker Edwards' two-run homer and Cole Kreisel's two-run triple. Missouri Southern responded with resilience, crafting a comeback in the eighth inning to regain the lead. Key moments included a sacrifice fly by
Cy Darnell and an error that allowed
Ethan Clark to score, pushing the Lions ahead.
Earlier in the game,
Andrew Young's three-run homer (third in 2026) in the fourth inning put MSSU on the board, 3-0.
Blake Jones evened the contest at 5-5 with a two-run homer (team-leading 12th in 2026) in the fifth inning.
A final ninth-inning double play halted any potential threats, securing the victory for the Lions.
MSSU took an early lead in the fourth inning when Young homered to right center, bringing home
Jason Lazo and
Will Doherty. This three-run shot followed a single by Doherty and a hit by pitch to Lazo, giving Southern a 3-0 advantage.
However, the Mules responded with a five-run surge in the bottom half of the fourth, highlighted by a two-run homer from Edwards, putting Central Missouri ahead 5-3.
In the fifth inning, Missouri Southern narrowed the gap as
Brayden Luikart doubled and was driven in by Jones' two-run homer to left field, leveling the score at 5-5. The sixth inning saw no change in the score as both teams were held scoreless.
Central Missouri regained a one-run lead in the seventh inning, scoring on a groundout RBI, shifting the score to 6-5.
Missouri Southern reclaimed the lead in the eighth inning.
Jacob Filip scored on a sacrifice fly by Darnell, and an error allowed Clark to score, pushing Missouri Southern ahead 7-6.
Blake Jones stood out by hitting a home run and collecting two RBI in the game.
Andrew Young also made a significant impact, hitting a home run and driving in three runs.
Aiden Hinkle showcased his speed by successfully stealing two bases.
Owen Schneider pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking three.
Caden Carter had a brief outing, giving up one run on one hit without recording an out.
Jackson Gamble earned his fourth win of the season (4-0 in 2026) with two innings in relief, allowing only one hit and striking out one.
Marcus Young closed out the game with one inning, allowing no runs and earning his eighth save, striking out one and walking one.
The game saw a 43-minute lightning delay in the first inning.
MSSU continues its final regular-season series at No. 24-ranked Central Missouri Friday. First pitch is 4 p.m., CT from Crane Stadium.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
