Central Missouri (51-8) broke open the regional final game in the sixth inning and went on to an 11-5 win over Abilene Christian University and its 15th berth in the NCAA Division II national baseball tournament. ACU took an early 3-0 lead, then clawed back to within one run (5-4) before its weary bullpen – playing its fourth game in 24 hours – finally wore down after some heroic performances in the past week.
ACU ends the year with a school-record 50 wins against 15 losses, a second straight Lone Star Conference title, and its first appearance in the South Central Region tournament final since 2003. Wildcats Chris Hall (second base), Aaron Oliver (outfield) and Cameron Aspaas (pitcher) were named to the all-tournament team.