WARRENSBURG, Mo. — Missouri Southern baseball (32-16, 25-10 MIAA) fell to No. 24-ranked Central Missouri (34-13, 24-11 MIAA) 11–7 Friday at Crane Stadium.
MSSU managed to hit two home runs during the matchup, but the Mules secured the game two win to even the MIAA series with a decisive five-run seventh inning.
The Lions and UCM will wrap the final regular-season series Saturday at 1 p.m., CT.
Missouri Southern moves to 32-16 in 2026 and 25-10 in MIAA conference play.
UCM took an early lead in the first inning after Cole Kreisel walked and later scored on Chase Wilcox's RBI single. Central Missouri led 1–0 at the end of the first inning.
Missouri Southern tied the game in the third inning.
Andrew Young was hit by a pitch, stole second, and advanced to third on
Cy Darnell's single. Young scored on a defensive play, making it 1–1. However, Central Missouri responded with two runs in the Mules' half of the inning, including a Grant Hollister RBI double and a Kaiden Ashton RBI single. The Mules led 3–1 at the end of the third inning.
In the sixth inning,
Jacob Filip homered to right field, narrowing the gap to 3–2.
The seventh inning saw Central Missouri extend its lead significantly with a five-run outburst, highlighted by a Chase Wilcox home run and a three-run homer by Kaleb Ceola. The Mules led 8–2 at the end of the seventh inning.
Missouri Southern added a run in the eighth inning when Filip walked and scored on
Will Doherty's RBI double. Central Missouri then scored three more runs in its half of the eighth, including a two-run triple by Grant Hollister, bringing the score to 11–3.
In the ninth inning, Missouri Southern rallied with four runs.
Ethan Clark singled, Darnell walked, and
Brayden Luikart singled to drive in Clark.
Blake Jones capped the rally with a three-run homer. Despite the effort, the game concluded with Central Missouri securing an 11–7 victory over Missouri Southern.
The Lions had key moments, including Filip's sixth-inning home run to right field, which narrowed the deficit to 3-2. In the ninth, Jones launched a three-run homer, bringing life back into the Lions' lineup. Earlier, Young's third-inning stolen base set up the Lions' first run, showcasing their ability to manufacture opportunities.
The late surge in the ninth by Missouri Southern, featured three hits and four runs, however, the rally fell short.
Blake Jones led MSSU with three RBI, including a home run, going 2-for-5 at the plate.
Jacob Filip added a home run and scored two runs, showcasing his impact at the plate.
Brayden Luikart recorded one hit and one RBI, while also drawing a walk and scoring a run.
Aiden Hinkle contributed with a hit for the Lions.
Michael Mulhollon (3-3 in 2026) started on the mound for Missouri Southern, pitching three innings and allowing six hits, three earned runs, and three walks while striking out two batters.
Lane Chapman followed with four innings of relief, surrendering five hits and four earned runs, including two home runs, while also striking out two.
Keaton Anderson closed the game, pitching an inning, during which he gave up three hits and three earned runs, with two strikeouts.
MSSU next concludes its final regular-season series Saturday with game three against Central Missouri. First pitch is 1 p.m., CT at Crane Stadium.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
