EDMOND, Okla. — No. 3-seeded Missouri Southern baseball (33-17) fell to No. 6 Emporia State (36-15) 4–2 in the 2026 MIAA Baseball Championship Quarterfinals Thursday at Wendell Simmons Field. Missouri Southern managed a home run and a triple, but the Hornets secured the win with seven hits and four runs.
Emporia State took control in the sixth inning when Nathon Cruz hit a solo home run, breaking a 2–2 tie and putting ESU ahead. A subsequent wild pitch in the eighth inning allowed another run to score, increasing the lead to 4–2 and establishing a cushion Missouri Southern was unable to overcome.
MSSU had its moment in the fourth inning when
Brayden Luikart sparked a rally with a triple to center field.
Blake Jones followed with a two-run homer, tying the game at 2–2. Despite this surge, the scoring opportunities dwindled as the game progressed, with Southern leaving two runners on base in the ninth inning.
The inability to capitalize on late-inning chances was evident, as MSSU managed only one hit after the fourth-inning rally, ultimately falling short in a tightly contested matchup.
Emporia State took an early lead in the third inning with two runs. Noah Steele singled, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored alongside Cruz on a single by Brady Unrein. The score was 2–0 in favor of ESU after three innings.
MSSU responded in the fourth inning when Luikart tripled to center field, followed by Jones hitting a two-run homer to tie the game at 2–2.
ESU regained the lead in the sixth inning with a solo home run by Cruz, making it 3–2 in the Hornets' favor.
In the eighth inning, Dylan Brisbois scored on a wild pitch, extending Emporia State's lead to 4–2.
MSSU was unable to score in the final innings, leading to a final score of 4–2 in favor of Emporia St.
Blake Jones made a significant impact by hitting a home run and collecting two RBI.
Brayden Luikart contributed offensively with two hits, including a triple, and scored one run.
Owen Schneider (8-2) pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out four and walking three. He threw 103 pitches, 59 of which were strikes, and gave up a home run in the outing.
Jackson Gamble came on in relief, pitching 1 2/3 innings, conceding one earned run on two hits, issuing two walks, and striking out two batters.
Marcus Young closed out the game with 1 1/3 innings of work, striking out one and throwing 11 strikes out of 17 pitches.
MSSU moves to 33-17 in 2026.
The Lions will next await their postseason fate, with the 2026 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Selection Show set for Sunday at 9 p.m., CT. MSSU is currently ranked fifth in the Central Region.
