SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- After winning the NCAA Central Region I Tournament, the No. 9 Augustana baseball team (43-14) continues its title defense in the Central Super Regional against Central Missouri (41-14) on Friday at 6:00 PM.

The Vikings earned a spot in the super regional after winning all three of their games at the regional. Augustana took down Oklahoma Baptist in game one 12-10, Arkansas-Monticello 9-4, and then took down OBU once again in game three 8-6 to clinch a spot in the super regional. 

The matchup between the Vikings and Mules is the first since last year's Central Regional where Augustana won 9-6. Prior to that meeting, the two teams played once in 2001, a 5-1 victory for the Mules.

Augustana has depended on its bats during the postseason, scoring at least 8 runs in each of their last six games dating back to May 10. 

At the plate, the postseason has been kind to Jordan Barth who is hitting .483 with a pair of home runs and 11 RBI to lead the team. Will Olson follows close behind with a .440 batting average over the past seven games with nine RBI and two home runs as well.

Michael Svozil and Riley Johnson have been fiends on the base paths, with the duo swiping four bases apiece during postseason play. 

On the mound, the Vikings are led by Seth Miller, who has been able to do it all during the postseason. The freshman has an ERA of 2.40 in 15 innings of work to lead the team over the past seven games and has won two games and recorded two saves during that stretch. 

Tanner Brown has made strong starts during the postseason as well, going 2-0 while holding opponents to a .184 batting average and striking out 15 in 13.2 innings of work.

Scouting Central Missouri

Central Missouri enters the Super Regional on a five-game winning streak and a 41-14 record overall. The Mules have scored 10 runs or more in 18 of their games this season, with their season high being against Fort Hays State on April 27 in a 27-1 victory. 

At the plate, Central Missouri is led by Erik Webb, the D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year who has posted a .414 batting average on the year. Webb has 19 home runs with 74 RBI to lead the team, while also knocking five triples and 25 doubles on the year. Mason Janvrin has the best batting average on the team at .427 and has hit five home runs himself with an on-base percentage of .474. Janvrin has also swiped 36 bases on the year to lead the Mules. 

On the mound, Ben Kelsch will likely make the start in game one for the Mules. Kelsch has pitched 89.1 innings for Central Missouri and has an ERA of 3.83 while throwing two complete games on the year. Jonathan Sprinkle is one of the best relief pitchers in the region and leads a strong Central Missouri bullpen with a 2.09 ERA with 38.2 innings pitched. Sprinkle has struck out 65 batters out of the pen, while walking just 11.  

Up Next

Following the Super Regional, the winner will advance to the NCAA DII Championship in Cary, N.C. beginning on June 1 and going through June 8.