In-state teams lose regional openers

Lindenwood University (36-18) scored seven runs in the first three innings Thursday and went on to beat Southern Arkansas University 14-7 in the NCAA Division II Tournament’s Central Region opener in Emporia, Kan.

Southern Arkansas (39-15) cut the lead to 7-3 in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Jacob Richardson and a two-run home run by James Trevanion. The Lions answered with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth for a 9-3 lead, then scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fifth to open up a 14-3 lead.

Trevanion finished 2 for 4, both home runs, with 3 RBI to lead the Muleriders and Sam Mrstik also went 2 for 4. Kenneth Tabor (11-2) took the loss for Southern Arkansas, which will face the University of Arkansas at Monticello in an elimination game today at 10 a.m. The Muleriders lost to top-seeded Emporia (Kan.) State 10-8. UAM (32-20) struggled early against Emporia State (42-11) as the Hornets scored seven runs in the first three innings. The Boll Weevils trailed 10-2 after the fifth inning, but got RBI singles from Guy Halbert, Alex Smith and Andres Rios to cut the lead to 10-5. Brian Ray hit a three-run home run in the ninth to cut the lead to 10-8.

In the South Central Region, the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s Dion Williams, Jace Pitchford and Logan Allen combined for six hits — including four home runs — but it wasn’t enough as the Lions fell 11-6 to Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

Williams and Pitchford both finished 2 for 4 — Williams had 2 RBI and Pitchford added 1 — while Allen finished 2 for 5 with 3 RBI. Hayden Harvey (9-5) allowed 5 runs on 4 hits, walked 1 and struck out 1 and lasted two-thirds of an inning to take the loss.