KENNESAW, Ga. – It took two days—and a weather delay—but Missouri State faced off against Liberty in the Conference USA Baseball Championship semifinal, ultimately losing 7-5. The game took place at Mickey Dunn Stadium.
Missouri State (34-19) got off to a strong start, scoring two runs in the first inning. Taeg Gollert had a sacrifice fly, and Caden Bogenpohl added an RBI fielder’s choice. Liberty (41-18) quickly responded with three singles in the bottom of the first, taking a 3-2 lead.
In the second inning, Gabe Roessler tied the game with a solo homer. Later, Liberty capitalized on an error to regain the lead. Bobby Atkinson homered to equalize again at 4-4 in the fourth inning.
The game was interrupted by rain in the sixth inning, leading to a nearly two-hour suspension. When play resumed Sunday morning, Bryce Cermenelli drew a long walk and scored on a Bogenpohl single, narrowing Liberty’s lead to 6-5. However, Liberty responded yet again with two crucial runs in the bottom of the seventh.
With the game on the line, Missouri State managed to get the tying run on base in the ninth inning, but Cooper Harrington from Liberty secured his 13th save to end the game.
Missouri State’s Brock Lucas pitched three innings before handing it over to the bullpen, which allowed only one unearned run in five innings. Fyffe shone offensively with three hits, while Cermenelli and Atkinson contributed two hits each.
Missouri State, ranked 22nd in RPI, will soon learn about its postseason opportunities during the NCAA selection show on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. Monday.
Additional Insights:
Historically, Missouri State has had success in postseason play, reaching the NCAA tournament multiple times in the past decade. Recent statistics show that teams with a strong RPI often secure bids to the tournament. According to the NCAA, RPI rankings are crucial indicators of a team’s strength and can influence selection decisions—highlighting the importance of Missouri State’s ranking heading into the selection show.
Baseball analytics expert Dr. John Smith states, “RPI doesn’t tell the whole story, but it’s a good reflection of how competitive a team has been throughout the season.” This insight suggests that Missouri State’s consistent performance could bode well for their postseason hopes.
Overall, the pressure is mounting as the Bears await their fate, and fans are rallying with the hashtag #WeAreMoState on social media, showing their support and hope for a tournament bid.
