2012 NCAA DIVISION II SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT HOME PAGE

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Southern Arkansas senior pitcher Doug Shields struck out 12 and only allowed one walk in a complete-game, 7-2 victory over Angelo State on Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Baseball Tournament on the campus of the University of Central Missouri.

Shields (9-2), the 2012 Great American Conference Pitcher of the Year, allowed just two runs off six and faced just seven batters over the minimum in SAU’s win, which vaulted the Muleriders (37-15) into the 7 p.m. winner’s bracket game on Friday against No. 2 seed St. Mary’s.

The No. 4 seed Muleriders outhit No. 3 seed Angelo State (40-16) 15-6 on Thursday, led by senior shortstop Trey Buck’s 4-for-6 outing with two runs batted in. Other SAU multi-hit performances included senior outfielder Jason Dahl at 2-for-4 with three RBI, junior designated hitter Phillip Menou at 3-for-4 and junior outfielder Ryan Bell at 2-for-5.

SAU’s second round opponent, St. Mary’s, remained in the top bracket after recording an 8-4 victory over No. 5 seed Texas A&M-Kingsville earlier on Thursday.