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Mules fall from contention at NCAA-II Championships

(Photo by Dave Kopp)

Balin Bergman apparently slides under the tag of the Mount Olive catcher, but was ruled out in a controversial play

The No. 7 Central Missouri Mules had the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth but the comeback was thwarted by top-ranked Mount Olive College in the Division II National semifinal at GCS Ballpark by a 5-3 margin.

The Mules (47-17) were just one big hit away all day and finished their season fourth in the championships.

It was a game with sparkling defense on both sides, highlighted by senior shortstop Brian McBryde’s unbelievable diving play in the hole to halt the Trojans attack in the second frame. He got the final out by throwing from one knee after diving toward third base to snag the ball.

Central Missouri got on the board in the first inning after a lead-off double from junior Will Feil but the Trojans came right back in the top half of the second with three runs off starter Mark Carey. He walked in the first run before a two RBI single off the left field wall sent the next two home.

Balin Bergman led off the fourth inning with a double before Iain Dykins hit a long fly-out to right center advancing Bergman to third. The throw from the outfield got under the cut-off man’s glove though, and head coach Tom Myers waved him home. Bergman thought he was in safely but the umpire saw differently, calling him out and ending the inning. (See Photo) Myers stormed down the line and argued the call as the crowd went crazy but it was to no avail.

Myers and home plate umpire Mike McCray battled again in the top of the sixth when he gave a warning to the Mules bench. Myers went out to ask what was said and was promptly tossed out of the national semifinal game while he was walking back to the dugout.

The Trojans saved another run with a great diving stop by the first baseman in the bottom half of the frame on a hard hit ball by Bergman.

The Trojans scored a couple insurance runs in the top of the seventh thanks to a Central Missouri error on a play at the plate that gave them an extra chance. Alex Kent came in to throw in a tough situation with the bases loaded and one out. He didn’t allow a hit or a run of his own and finished the game for UCM by tossing up a couple zeros.

The Mules made it 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single from Blaine Rutledge to score Clay Weatherford. The Trojans got out of the inning with minimal damage though, as the Mules had runners on first and third with one out and didn’t score any more runs.

Central Missouri was on the brink of a two-out rally in the next frame but left runners on first and second to end the game. Mount Olive improved to 57-6 on the season and advanced to the national title game.