WARRENSBURG, Mo. — Missouri Southern baseball (33-16, 26-10 MIAA) secured a decisive 11–5 victory over No. 24-ranked Central Missouri (34-14, 24-12 MIAA) in the series finale Saturday at Crane Stadium. The Lions hit four home runs, contributing significantly to its commanding win.
With the 2-1 series win on the Mules, Missouri Southern improves to 33-16 in 2026 heading into next week's league tournament in Edmond, Oklahoma. MSSU ended the regular season with a league record of 26-10 and will be the No. 3 seed in the postseason tournament. The Lions will face No. 6 seed Emporia State in the Quarterfinals Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m., CT.
Missouri Southern seized control in the seventh inning, delivering a decisive five-run surge to secure the outcome.
Jacob Filip initiated the rally with a solo home run to left field, followed by
Will Doherty's blast to left center for back-to-back jacks.
Ethan Clark added a single, advancing
Andrew Young, who had doubled, to third.
Cy Darnell's sacrifice fly brought in another run, and
Brayden Luikart capped the inning with a two-RBI single to right field, extending the lead to 11-4.
Earlier, the Lions capitalized in the sixth inning with a three-run homer (6-4 Lions) by Luikart, driving in Clark and Darnell, who both reached base with singles. This power-hitting sequence turned the tide after the Mules briefly held the lead in the fourth inning, courtesy of unearned runs following a throwing error.
Central Missouri mounted a final threat in the ninth, scoring once and placing two runners on base. However,
Marcus Young induced the final out, preserving Southern's commanding advantage and closing the door on the Mules' comeback attempt.
MSSU secured an 11–5 victory over UCM with a strong offensive performance. In the second inning, Doherty hit a home run to left field, and
Jason Lazo scored on an RBI groundout, putting Southern ahead 2–1. The third inning saw
Blake Jones score on a fielder's choice, extending the lead to 3–1.
UCM responded in the fourth inning, taking a 4–3 lead after scoring three runs, two of which were unearned due to a throwing error. However, Southern regained control in the sixth inning when Luikart hit a three-run homer, reclaiming a 6–4 advantage.
The seventh inning was decisive for MSSU, as they exploded for five runs. Filip and Doherty hit back-to-back solo home runs, while Darnell added a sacrifice fly. Luikart capped the rally with a two-run single, pushing the lead to 11–4.
The Mules managed to score one more run in the ninth inning, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit as Southern emerged victorious with an 11–5 final score.
Brayden Luikart led the offensive efforts with a home run and five RBI, contributing significantly to the scoring. Doherty delivered two home runs (2-for-4). Filip also showcased power, hitting a home run.
On the mound,
Jackson Gamble pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing one run and striking out four batters to secure the win (5-0 in 2026).
Braden Ray pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and three runs while issuing three walks and hitting a batter, throwing 59 pitches with 29 strikes. Gamble took over for 3 2/3 innings, yielding one hit and one run, striking out four batters, and earning the win to improve to 5–0.
Walker Sweet contributed 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run and two walks while striking out one.
Marcus Young closed the game with 2/3 inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.
MSSU will be the three seed in the 2026 MIAA Baseball Championship which will be hosted by Central Oklahoma in Edmond. The Lions will face No. 6 seed Emporia State in the Quarterfinals Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m., CT.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
