Central Missouri baseball reaches NCAA Division II World Series

Central Missouri is headed back to the NCAA Division II World Series for the first time since 2011 after winning the Central Regional title Monday.

The Mules, 42-13 and ranked ninth, beat Arkansas-Monticello 7-4 in St. Cloud, Minn. Central Missouri will open the eight-team double-elimination series against Southeast Region champion Lander (S.C.) on Sunday in Cary, N.C.

It’s the Mules 17th Division II World Series appearance and first for Kyle Crookes as the Mules’ coach. He’s 72-35 in two seasons in Warrensburg.

Matt Elliott went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a home run and three runs scored and Jake Alexander was 2 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored for the Mules.

Gavin, Elliott, Cole Distler and Bennett Oliver were chosen to the all-region team.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 4:08 PM with the headline "Central Missouri baseball reaches NCAA Division II World Series."