The MIAA Conference Baseball Tournament kicked off with a bang for Central Missouri State. The 12th ranked Mules opened the tournament with a win over the Missouri Western Griffons 11-3.
CMSU jumped on top early scoring nine runs in the first two innings to take a 9-1 lead. Right fielder Adam Milauskas went 3-for-5 with four RBI’s. Josh Paul chipped in with three hits. Cole Armstrong knocked in three.
Mules starter Judson Smith went the distance giving up three runs on nine hits, but struck out only one batter.
Up next for the Mules will be 5th ranked Emporia State. The Hornets are hosting the tournament after winning the regular season title. CMSU beat Emporia State three out of four times during the season.
CMSU is not playing host of the tournament for the first time in 12 years. The Mules finished second in the conference behind Emporia State. If the Mules can pull off the tourney championship it will be their seventh post-season crown in as many years.
Missouri Western drops into the loser’s bracket to face Washburn.