CLAREMORE, Okla. — No. 7 seed Missouri Southern baseball (33-18) fell to No. 2 seed Rogers State (39-13) with a final score of 4-3 in a tense 2026 NCAA Division II Central Regional opening matchup at RCB Bank Sports Complex on Thursday. Missouri Southern managed to tie the game in the eighth inning, but Rogers State secured the win with a walk-off run in the tenth.
Missouri Southern faced Rogers State in a tense matchup that extended into extra innings. The early innings were marked by a defensive stalemate, with both teams unable to score through the first four frames. In the fifth inning, Rogers Statw took the lead with two runs, capitalizing on a balk that allowed Jake Mitchell and Sammy Harris to score, making it 2-0 after five innings.
The Hillcats added another run in the sixth inning when Zak Nelson scored on a single by Andres Contreras, extending its lead to 3-0. Missori Southern responded in the seventh inning.
Ethan Clark,
Cy Darnell, and
Andrew Young each singled to load the bases.
Blake Jones then delivered a crucial two-run single, cutting the deficit to 3-2 through seven innings.
The Lions tied the game in the eighth inning.
Jason Lazo walked and
Aiden Hinkle followed with a walk.
Ethan Clark executed a sacrifice bunt, allowing Lazo to score, tying the game at 3-3.
The ninth inning saw no changes in score, leading to extra innings. In the bottom of the tenth, Rogers State secured the victory. Zak Nelson singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Jake Mitchell then hit a walk-off single to bring Nelson home, ending the game with a 4-3 win for Rogers St.
Owen Schneider pitched 5 1/3 innings for Missouri Southern, allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out one and issuing four walks. He threw a total of 87 pitches, 57 of which were strikes.
Jackson Gamble contributed with one inning of relief, striking out two batters but walking two, throwing 20 pitches with eight strikes.
Marcus Young finished the game with three innings pitched, surrendering one earned run on three hits, while walking three and throwing 61 pitches, 32 of which were strikes.
Blake Jones recorded two RBIs, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts.
Ethan Clark finished with two hits and one RBI, providing steady production at the plate.
MSSU continues play at the 2026 NCAA Division II Central Regional hosted by RSU, Friday. The Lions will face No. 6 seed Minnesota State in an elimination game Friday at 2 p.m., CT.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
