Cary, N.C. — The No. 24 East Stroudsburg Warriors fought until the very end, but their 2025 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship run came to a close Tuesday with a 12-8 loss to No. 3 Central Missouri at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: Central Missouri 12, East Stroudsburg 8
Records: Central Missouri (45-12), East Stroudsburg (41-16)
Location: Cary, N.C. | Sunny, 80s | Attendance: 247
STORY OF THE GAME
Central Missouri wasted no time setting the tone, scoring three runs in the first inning behind a double from Chase Heath and another two-run double by Grant Hollister. The Mules extended their lead in the second, adding five more runs with a crucial two-run double by Isaiah Keller.
ESU responded in the bottom of the first when Dennis Pierce singled to third base, driving in the Warriors' first run. Later, in the fourth inning, Jack Rothenhausler kept their hopes alive with a two-run single, trimming the deficit.
The Warriors showed determination late in the game. Walker Zampella launched a solo home run in the seventh, and ESU staged a final ninth-inning surge, scoring three runs thanks to Dennis Pierce's two-run double and Ryan Manning's RBI groundout. Despite their efforts, the Mules' early offensive explosion proved too much to overcome.
KEY PLAYERS & STATS
East Stroudsburg:
Central Missouri:
- Chase Heath: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, sacrifice fly
- Grant Hollister: 1-for-3, 3 RBIs, key early hits
- Isaiah Keller: 2-for-4, 3 RBIs, game-changing double
- Will Krzykowski: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs, home run
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
With this loss, East Stroudsburg exits the tournament, closing out an impressive 41-16 season. The Warriors showcased resilience and talent throughout their championship journey, leaving a lasting impact on the 2025 NCAA Division II Baseball Championship.
