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Missouri State slugger selected by Oakland

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Missouri State junior Drew Millas was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Tuesday afternoon, as the Oakland Athletics nabbed the Bears’ All-American catcher with the 224th overall pick.

After earning back-to-back first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors over the last two seasons, Millas becomes the 16th Bear to be taken in the top 10 rounds of the MLB Draft over the last 10 years.

Millas earned first-team All-MVC honors for the second consecutive season after hitting .275 with five homers and 25 RBIs this spring. The Swansea, Ill., product registered a career-best streak of 22-consecutive games reaching base safely via a hit, walk or hit by pitch from April 2-May 10 and recorded at least one hit in 32 of the Bears’ final 40 contests. He also logged 15 multi-hit efforts on the season and 42 for his MSU career.

Over his three-year career in Maroon and White, Millas hit .276 with 13 homers and 115 RBIs in 159 total games, including 150 starts. He turned in a breakthrough 2018 campaign in which he batted .321 with seven homers and 61 RBIs to earn second-team All-America recognition from the NCBWA. Millas helped the Bears’ to their second-straight MVC regular-season crown and NCAA Regional berth.

Overall, the Bears have produced 144 players who have gone on to sign professional contracts over their 56 years as a varsity program, including 125 during Keith Guttin’s 37-year tenure as head coach.

The 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft will continue through Wednesday (June 5). Rounds 11-40 of the Draft can be heard live on MLB.com, beginning at 11 a.m. (CDT) tomorrow.

Justin Smith highlights long list of in-state players up for College Hall of Fame honors

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The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced the names on the 2020 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 76 players and five coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks.

Justin Smith, Missouri-Defensive Lineman-2000 First Team All-American who also earned Freshman All-America honors in 1998…Two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection who is Mizzou’s all-time leader in career (50) and single-season (24 in 2000) TFL…Graduated as the Tigers’ career leader in sacks (22.5), now ranking fourth all-time.

Chris Hegg, Truman State (Mo.)-Quarterback-Named First Team All-American and AFCA Division II Player of the Year in 1985…Two-time conference Offensive Player of the Year (1984-85)…Still holds eight conference records.

Terron Jackson, Missouri Southern State-Offensive Tackle-Named First Team NAIA All-American in 1972…Member of school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tony Miles, Northwest Missouri State-All-Purpose/Wide Receiver-Two-time First Team All-American who led Bearcats to back-to-back Division II National Championships (1998-99) and four-consecutive MIAA titles…Set conference and school records for career receiving yards (3,890), receptions (235) and TDs (37).

Dwight Reed-Lincoln (Mo.) (1949-71)-Teams won three conference titles…Coached 93 All-Americans in four sports…The football stadium at Lincoln University was named for him.

Other notables:

Former Mizzou offensive coordinator Josh Heupel, Oklahoma-Quarterback-2000 consensus First Team All-American and Walter Camp Player of the Year…2000 Heisman Trophy runner-up who led the Sooners to a national title at the 2001 Orange Bowl…2000 Big 12 Player of the Year who left OU with virtually every school passing record despite only playing two seasons.

Former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, California-Tight End-1996 consensus First Team All-American and First Team All-Pac-10 selection…Holds Cal record for receptions in a bowl game (9 in 1996 Aloha Bowl)…Posted 89 receptions for 1,302 yards and eight touchdowns during career.

Two Tigers selected in first round of MLB Draft

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Mizzou Baseball junior OF Kameron Misner and junior LHP TJ Sikkema were each selected Monday evening in Day One of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft.

Misner, from Poplar Bluff, was chosen 35th overall by the Miami Marlins, while Sikkema was picked 38th overall by the New York Yankees during the Competitive Balance Round A, which occurred after the traditional First Round and Compensation Round. Misner and Sikkema become Mizzou’s eighth and ninth all-time first-round selections. Misner is only the Tigers’ second-ever position player to garner first-round accolades, joining catcher Steve Patchin in 1971 who was selected 20th overall by the Dodgers.

Sikkema is the fifth Mizzou pitcher in 14 seasons to go in the first-round. He joins RHP Max Scherzer (11th overall – 2006), RHP Aaron Crow (ninth overall – 2008), RHP Kyle Gibson (22nd overall – 2009) and Houck (24th overall – 2017).

Misner and Sikkema become the Tigers’ first-ever duo of straight-from-college players among the first two rounds in the same MLB Draft.

Mules win to open D-II World Series with big offense and solid pitching

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At the first game in the 2019 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship in Cary, NC, Central Missouri scored seven runs in the first three innings and were carried by starter Ben Kelsch who picked up the win in a 9-4 victory over Ashland. The win puts the Mules at 44-14 this season, their most wins since 2012 when they won 48 games.

Central Missouri broke it open with a four-run second inning. Donovan Ditto and Zak Whalin were each by a pitch to put runners on base. Micah Evans poked one the other way for a base hit to score ditto. One batter later, Mason Janvrin put a charge into one for a double deep to left center field to bring home Whalin. After an intentional walk to Erik Webb to load the bases, Schnurbusch again came up big, singling on the first pitch he saw to drive in two.

The Mules played small ball as Janvrin beat out a bunt single allowing another run to score. Micah Evans kept running and scored from second on the play for a 7-0 lead. Alex Madera made it a 9-2 game singling just over the glove of the shortstop to score Whalin and Janvrin.

Ben Kelsch got the started and lasted 6.1 innings. He allowed four runs on six hits with a walk and six strikeouts.

News and Notes
• Kelsch made his 56 career appearance to move into the Mules all-time top-10.
• The win is the Mules 30th all-time at the Division II Championship. They are 30-31 in 61 Championship games.
• Erik Webb added to his D2 lead with his 26th double of the season in the first inning.
• Mason Janvrin continues to add to his UCM single season hits record. He is now up to 109.
• All but one Mules in the lineup had a hit or scored a run.
• Conor Dryer’s four strikeouts are a career-best.
• Central Missouri moves to 4-0 all-time against Ashland.
• Kelsch threw a first pitch strike to 20 of 26 batters he faced.
• Six of the Mules nine RBI came with two outs.
• The Mules hit .500 (7-14) with two outs while Ashland was 0-8.

The Mules will take on the winner of No. 1 Colorado Mesa and No. 8 NYIT Monday, June 3 at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT.

Story courtesy:  UCM Athletics

Mizzou Baseball steps up by helping in tornado relief

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Mizzou Baseball Head Coach Steve Bieser and Tiger players pull field turf that was ripped away from the track at the Special Olympics Training for Life campus in Jefferson City (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

For the seventh straight season, Mizzou baseball missed out on NCAA regionals.  They just missed the cut despite having an RPI of 31 and a 34-22-1 record.  However, the Tigers dropped five in a row to end the season, including a sweep at home against Florida and a first-round exit in their first SEC Tournament game, a 2-1 loss to Ole Miss.  In the end, that didn’t look good and with ten SEC teams selected to play, there was no room for error in the toughest conference in baseball.

However, life is more than just baseball.  Just three days after losing their last game, Steve Bieser and his players came to Jefferson City to help clean up and remove debris from the tornado. They helped at the Special Olympic complex which suffered significant damage.

The team posted a photo gallery.

Central Missouri sweeps their way to D-II World Series

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Photo/UCM Athletics

Central Missouri Baseball swept Augustana in a two-of-three series to punch their ticket to the 2019 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship. After winning 6-4 yesterday, the Mules again got another fine pitching performance on their way to a 5-2 win in game two. This was the Mules 18th NCAA Regional Championships, and their first since 2016. The Mules will head to Cary, N.C. for the NCAA Division II Championship June 1-8. The schedule and their opponent in the eight-team field is TBD.

The Mules improved to 7-0 in games Luke Lucas has started for UCM.  He went 4.1 innings allowing both runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out three and walking just one.  Donovan Ditto’s RBI single in the first made it 1-0 Mules.  Erik Webb made it a 2-0 game keeping a 3-2 fastball just inside the left field foul pole for a solo home run in the third. A big sixth inning, put UCM on top for good. Josh Schumacher picked up his third hit of the game and Cole Taylor went opposite field for a double off the fence that scored Schumacher all the way from first to gives the Mules the lead back. A bunt single from Donovan Ditto put runners on the corners, and Taylor crossed the plate on a wild pitch for the Mules’ fourth run. Micah Evans made it a three-run sixth driving in a run on a ground ball.

Lincoln University women’s track and field repeats as National Champions

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For the second-straight year, the Blue Tigers are national champions. The Lincoln women’s outdoor track & field team scored 64 points and won five events to win the 2019 NCAA Division II Championship on Saturday (May 25). It’s the second outdoor title in two years for the Blue Tigers, who also won the 2018 NCAA Division II Championship. It’s also the ninth NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championship in the history of the Lincoln women’s track & field program, and the 14th total national title won by the program under head coach Victor Thomas.

For the men’s team standings, Lincoln finished in seventh place. Fort Hays State’s Brett Meyer claimed the national championship in the 1,500-meter run. The MIAA had six events where it placed at least one male student-athlete in the top three. 

Missouri All-Americans

Long Jump – Tamia Rayford, Southwest Baptist – 4th place, 6.11 meters; Claire Luallen, Missouri Southern – 7th place, 6.05 meters; Meleah Ridenour, Southwest Baptist – 8th place, 6.04 meters

Discus – Desirea Buerge, Missouri Southern – 4th place, 53.38 meters

Javelin – Morgan Ash, Missouri Southern – 1st place, 51.41 meters;

Shot Put – Desirea Buerge, Missouri Southern – 2nd place, 16.38 meters; Payton Roberts, Missouri Southern

Pole Vault – Emily Presley, Missouri Southern – 2nd place, 3.98 meters; Alexis Menghini – 6th place, 3.88 meters

4×100 Meter Relay, Lincoln – 1st place, 45.33;

100 Meter Hurdles – Erin Hodge, Lindenwood – 4th place, 13.47; Morgan Smith, Missouri Southern – 8th place, 13.98

400 Meters – Kissi-Ann Brown, Lincoln – 1st place, 53.63; Renea Ambersley, Lincoln – 2nd place, 54.60; Christine Moss, Lincoln – 7th place, 57.64

100 Meters – Rene Medley, Lincoln – 1st place, 11.20; Ariel Jackson, Lindenwood – 4th place, 11.45

400 Meter Hurdles – Jordan Hammond, Northwest Missouri – 5th place, 1:01.24; Kissi-Ann Brown, Lincoln – 6th place, 1:01.35

200 Meters – Rene Medley, Lincoln – 1st place, 23.30; Ariel Jackson, Lindenwood – 2nd place, 23.41; Christine Moss, Lincoln – 8th place, 25.02

4×400 Meter Relay – Lincon – 1st place, 3:37.03

MIAA Men’s All-Americans

Pole Vault – Vincent Hobbie, Central Missouri

Hammer Throw – Travis Petersen, Missouri Southern – 4th place, 62.93 meters;

Long Jump – Ryan Brown, Lincoln – 3rd place, 7.96 meters; Kizan David, Lincoln – 5th place, 7.79 meters; Josh Norville, Missouri Southern – 8th place, 7.71 meters

Triple Jump – Kizan David, Lincoln – 3rd place, 15.83 meters

Javelin – Rjheim Carby, Missouri Southern -7th place, 64.93 meters

Shot Put – Rajindra Campbell, Missouri Southern – 5th place, 18.43 meters;

High Jump – Kevin Schultz, Northwest Missouri – 2nd place, 2.20 meters;

100 Meters – Javan Gray, Lincoln – 6th place, 10.48

4×400 Meter Relay – Lincoln – 4th place, 3:09.47;

Naphessa Collier has stellar WNBA debut. Drops in 27 in Minnesota’s big win

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Napheesa Collier scored 27 points, the second most in WNBA history by a rookie in her debut, as the Minnesota Lynx blew out the Chicago Sky 89-71 in the season-opener for both teams Saturday night. Collier was born in Jefferson City, but was a prep star at Incarnate Word in St. Louis.   She starred at UConn for four seasons before becoming the 6th overall pick in the draft.  Collier hit 8-of-10 shots, including three three-pointers

Collier was shy of Candace Parker’s record 34-point performacne in her first game with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008. The Lynx were playing without perennial MVP Maya Moore, another former Jefferson City, Mo. resident, who is sitting out this season.

Sophie Cunningham plays 12-minutes in WNBA debut

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Sophie Cunningham, Mizzou women’s basketball’s all-time leading scorer and first pick of the second round in the WNBA Draft made it professional debut on Saturday in Seattle as her Mercury Phoenix took on the Storm.  Sophie played 12 minutes off the bench, missed both of her shot attempts (three-point tries), and grabbed three rebounds in Phoenix’s 77-68 loss.  Cunningham had a blocked shot and two turnovers as well as two personal fouls.

Cunningham entered the game with 5:16 left in the first half and after a Seattle turnover, she stepped out of bounds on the transition.  She pulled down her first defensive rebound on the ensuing possession after a missed three-point attempt.

Cunningham and Phoenix have their first home game on Friday and expects many friends and family to attend.

Sophie Cunningham makes roster for Phoenix

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Mizzou Women’s Basketball’s Sophie Cunningham made the opening night roster for the Phoenix Mercury, as announced by the team Thursday. Cunningham and the Mercury will open the 2019 WNBA season on Saturday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m. CT when Phoenix faces the 2018 WNBA champion Seattle Storm.

Cunningham became Mizzou’s highest-ever selection in the WNBA draft when she was selected by the Mercury with the first pick in the second round on April 10. In two preseason games for the Mercury, Cunningham scored 9.5 points per game while shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three and drained a game-winning three-pointer against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 11.

Cunningham closed her Mizzou career as Mizzou’s all-time scoring leader, finishing her historic career with 2,187 points. Among program records, Cunningham also ranks first in free throws made (537), second in three-pointers made (238), third in three-point percentage (40.3), third in free throw percentage (83.9), fourth in points per game (17.0) and fourth in assists (390).

In her senior season Cunningham was the only player in the nation to average 17.0 ppg, make 80 three-pointers, make 150 free throws and record 200 rebounds. In conference play, Cunningham led the SEC in three-point shooting (46.5 percent) and threes per game (2.9). She reached 20 points in 16 games this season, including 10 times against SEC opponents, and 30 points four times.