Mules add more players for 2005 season

 
Mules pitcher Steve Sharpe (left) was selected in the 11th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Oakland Athletics.   Sharpe was the 337th player selected on Monday, June 7.  Francisco Leandro (right) was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday, June 8 (Round #24 / Pick # 705)...Draft Central
Both players have signed contracts...More Info

Steve McReynolds is the third member of the 2004 Mules to ink a professional contract...More Info


The Mules 2004 season ended on Friday night, May 28, as they dropped a 10-9 decision to Delta (Miss.) State in the semi-final round of the 2004 NCAA-II Championships.  The one-run loss in Montgomery, Ala., was the Mules second of the championships to Delta State, and the sixth loss by one run this season overall.  The Mules, who had rallied from a five-run deficit the previous night to defeat the Statesmen, had the tables turned in Friday's game.  Central Missouri had jumped out to a 6-1 lead after two innings before Delta State rallied to take an 8-7 lead in the top of the fourth inning.  The Mules would tie the game in the bottom of the fourth, but after each team scored a run in the sixth inning, Delta State pushed across the eventual game winning tally in the top of the eighth.  Steve Downey and Josh Eftink had three hits each to lead the Mules 15-hit attack.  Danny Powers was the tough luck losing pitcher for Central Missouri, allowing just three hits and one run in relief.  The Mules close out the season with a third-place finish in NCAA-II with a 57-8 record.

Three Mules were named to the All-Tournament Team:
Steve Downey, Shawn Callahan, & Josh Eftink.
The announcement was made after Delta State defeated Grand Valley (Mich.) State in the championship game on Saturday night, May 29th, 12-9...More Info




Steve Downey tips his hat to acknowledge the crowd after being named the Most Valuable Player in the NCAA-II Central Regional.  Downey, who was 8 for 13 with 9 RBI's in the three games, was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates - Tommy Bryant, Joe Strada, Eric Errante, Andy Mayfield, Will Bradley, Francisco Leandro, and Danny Powers.

Central Missouri State All-Americans
Steve Sharpe and Francisco Leandro were first-team All-American selections by the American Baseball Coaches Association...More Info
Francisco Leandro was selected earlier as the NCAA-II Central Region "Player of the Year", while Sharpe was also one of nine Mules players to receive All-Region honors...More Info

Six Players Honored For Academics
 

The Mules put 12 players on the 2004 All-MIAA squad, including eight on the first team, and sweep all the top awards.
Francisco Leandro is the Player of the Year.
Steve Sharpe is named the Pitcher of the Year.
Mike Phelps is selected as the Freshman of the Year.
Darin Hendrickson is the choice of his peers as the Coach of the Year.
Mules All-MIAA Info

2004 All-MIAA Baseball Team

Current members of the Mules team, who were on last seasons NCAA-II Championship squad, unveiled the sign at Crane Stadium-Tompkins Field before Friday night's game (April 2nd vs. Emporia State) to commemorate the achievement.

Mules Media Guide
 

Three Mules receive preseason All-American
recognition from Baseball America...More Info.