UNO Wins Central Regional; Advances to DII World Series

Nebraska-Omaha became the first NCC team since North Dakota in 1993 to win their baseball region and advance to the NCAA Division II World Series. UNO downed Central Missouri 9-4 on Sunday to win the region crown.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha got two long balls from Evan Porter and a clutch pitching performance from Brandon Dahl, defeating Central Missouri, 9-4, to win the NCAA Division II Central Regional Championship Sunday afternoon at Crane Stadium.

UNO (36-22) swept through regional play, going a perfect 4-0, defeating the three highest-seeded teams in the tournament. The Mavericks advance to the NCAA Division II World Series in Montgomery, Ala. for the first time in school history.

Porter got the Mavericks off to a quick start, blasting the first pitch he saw from UCM starter Seth Gilleland (11-2) over the left field fence for a two-run homer. He followed that with a grand slam in the second to give the Mavs an early 7-1 advantage.

The Mules (51-13) rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fourth off UNO starter Ryan Lafountain. Dahl entered the game, going four and two-thirds innings, giving up just four hits and striking out three to earn the win, improving to 4-0.

Dahl found himself in a jam in the eighth, as three Mules hit consecutive two-out singles to load the bases. Shawn Smith came on and induced a pop-up to end the inning, then struck out the side in the ninth to earn his eighth save of the year.

Porter earned Tournament MVP honors, going 8-for-17 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Other Mavericks making the All-Tournament team were catcher Brian Goliber (8-for-16, four RBIs), second baseman Alex Kotera (11-for-17, four runs, two RBIs), outfielders Chris Weimer (7-for-17, HR, seven RBIs) and Matt Eikmeier (5-for-16), and pitcher Tim Huber who threw seven and one-third shutout innings in the opening game.

The Division II World Series begins Friday at Riverwalk Stadium.

-- Courtesy gomavs.unomaha.edu