OZARK, Mo. — Mission's postseason run came to a close Tuesday night, falling 15-5 to No. 1 seed Columbia in an elimination game at Ozark Mountain Sports Complex.
Pregame
After staying alive with a win earlier in the day, Mission returned to the field Tuesday night as the No. 2 overall seed for a win-or-go-home matchup against top-seeded Columbia. With the AMC Tournament's double-elimination format in play, the Patriots needed another victory to continue their postseason push.
Game Summary
Mission struck first in the opening inning, as Collin Miser drove in Zachary Beatty with an RBI single to take an early 1-0 lead.
Columbia answered in the second inning with a two-run home run from Joey Marcinkiewicz to take a 2-1 advantage, but Mission responded in the third when Beatty drove in Kadean Jacobs to even the score at 2-2.
The turning point came in the middle innings. Columbia plated two runs in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead, then broke the game open in the sixth inning with four more runs, extending the margin to 8-2.
Mission showed life in the seventh, cutting into the deficit on an RBI single from Drew Vaughan to make it 8-3. The Patriots continued to apply pressure in the eighth inning, drawing bases-loaded walks from Tony Myres and Kadean Jacobs to pull within 9-5.
However, Columbia responded emphatically in the bottom of the eighth. A six-run inning, highlighted by timely hitting and run production from Dylan Carlton and others, pushed the lead to 15-5 and secured the run-rule victory.
Steady rain began falling in the sixth inning and continued through the remainder of the game, adding another challenge as conditions worsened late.
Stat Leaders
Kadean Jacobs — 3-for-3, 3B, RBI
Liam Newman — 2-for-3, R, BB
Collin Miser — 2-for-3, RBI
Drew Vaughan — 1-for-5, RBI
Postgame
Mission battled throughout but was unable to overcome Columbia's big innings in the middle and late stages. Despite the loss, the Patriots showed resilience by responding multiple times offensively before the Cougars pulled away.
The defeat marks the end of Mission's AMC Tournament run.
Series Notes
- AMC Tournament is double elimination, and Mission was eliminated with its second loss.
- Mission entered as the No. 2 overall seed.
- The Patriots scored in four different innings, including a late push in the eighth.
- Columbia used four runs in the 6th and six runs in the 8th to pull away.
- The game was played in steady rain from the 6th inning onward.
- Mission finishes conference play with a 16-8 record.
Next Up
Mission will now await the release of the NCCAA Central Regional field, with postseason play still ahead.
