Mules Fired Up For Regional

May 17, 2006, 19:54

Dave Kopp

Junior second baseman Gered Mochizuki celebrates the Mules' ninth inning comeback win over Emporia State in the championship round of the MIAA Tournament. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- It would be easy to get wrapped up in the political gamesmanship and cry foul, but that's not going to happen.

The Central Missouri State baseball squad is preparing for its first NCAA Central Region Tournament away from home for the first time this century. The tournament begins Thursday at the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, Kan.

MIAA Player of the Year Bridger Hunt batted .444 (8-for-18) at the MIAA Tournament. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

Despite the fact that Central Missouri beat Emporia State twice in three games at the MIAA Tournament and five times in seven games for the season, the Hornets still got the top seed and the right to host the tournament while CMSU landed the fifth seed in the six-team field.

"I understand why we're seeded fifth," said Mules head coach Darin Hendrickson. "The formula is where the problem lies, not with people. We lost too many region games, but that doesn't mean we belong in the fifth slot. We have the fourth most wins in the country in Division II baseball, we're ranked eighth in the country and we're the fifth seed in our region."

The Mules aren't all that concerned with their number five seed because, at least, they're in the mix.

Right-hander Judson Smith (Photo by Dave Kopp)

"After this weekend, we thought we might have a chance to host Regionals," said third baseman Bridger Hunt, the MIAA Player of the Year. "They expanded to six teams this year which means we barely made it. It kind of is a slap in the face, but it will be fun to come out and win it and dog pile on Emporia's mound."

"Everybody expected to be better than that especially after beating Emporia five out of seven times," added pitcher Brandon Morris, the conference Co-Freshman of the Year. "I think it will help our team to show everybody that we're not the fifth seed, we should be one or two."

Even with that "slap in the face" to use a motivator, Hendrickson believes the tournament bracket may work in his team's favor. The Mules drew second seeded Minnesota State-Mankato in the first round.

Mules' right fielder Adam Milauskas can do it with the glove and with the bat, leading the team with 15 home runs. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

"In a crazy way, we probably got a better draw than a lot of people think," Hendrickson said. "We're familiar with Mankato, we beat them (in Warrensburg) and I think it's a wide open tournament with the exception of Missouri Western. Anybody is liable to go down there, get hot or fold the tent. The people who got hot last week, that's over. We're back to zeroes. Guys have to play under tighter conditions at a very hitter-friendly park. It can neutralize a lot of things.

"The problem with all that is Emporia gets home field advantage and gets an easy Western team in the draw. What I'm most upset about is Emporia doesn't deserve the number one seed. I thought Mankato deserved the number one
seed."

After a second round 2-1 loss to Emporia State, the Mules rebounded to beat Washburn 7-5 in an elimination game, then took two games from the Hornets in the championship round Sunday. CMSU won the first game in dramatic fashion, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth to pull out a 6-5 victory.

"I'm so happy to see a come-from-behind win, I can't say that enough," Hendrickson said. "We needed it so bad and I'd been begging for it all year. It does a lot for your character and I was real happy with that.

Freshman pitcher Brandon Morris leads the Mules with a 9-0 record and carries a 2.20 earned run average. (Photo by Dave Kopp)

"I was more proud of our kids coming back to beat Washburn, to be honest. That's a tough game to win, that 30 minute after losing a heartbreaker 2-1. We got beat by a great pitcher. (Gabe) Medina is the best pitcher in the league, the toughest to hit without question and he pitched one of his best games against us."

Despite some ups and downs during the season, CMSU's players enter the Regional with confidence and believe their big game experience will give them an advantage this weekend.

"We're going to go in there like any other day, play our ball and come out with a W," said senior outfielder Adam Milauskas. "The (MIAA Tournament) gives us a lot of confidence and momentum. Team morale is really high and we're playing well as a team, so that's a big factor going into a regional. We thrive on the big games. That's what our program is built on. We definitely need to step up in the big games, we did the other day and we will continue to do so."

Central Missouri faces Minnesota State-Mankato in the first round Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Nabraska-Omaha and Wayne State (Neb.) square off in the tournament opener at 12 noon while Emporia State takes on Missouri Western at 7 p.m.

Tournament schedule...