World Series or bust

When former Blue Springs High School standout Bret Schwartz signed with the University of Central Missouri, the two-time all-state shortstop had just one goal.

“I wanted to play in the College World Series,” Schwartz said. “Anything else was just gravy. I knew playing at UCM, I’d have the chance to play in the World Series.

“We came close last year – and this year, we made it. It was the greatest feeling in the world.”

Schwartz collected three hits as the the Mules claimed the program’s 15th regional championship Tuesday with an 11-4 victory over Abilene Christian in the finals of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional played on the UCM campus.

The win at Crane Stadium-Tompkins Field came in a true championship game after the top-seeded Mules lost 11-5 in the day’s first championship-round game.

That forced a winner-take-all matchup for the title and a spot in the NCAA Division II Championships, which begin Saturday in Cary, N.C.

“The atmosphere at the game was unbelievable,” said Schwartz, who was named to the all-tournament team after going 3-for-4 with a run scored in the championship game. “Our fans were everywhere. Even after we lost that first game, they got noisier and supported us even more.

“We want them to know what it meant for them to be there for us. It meant a lot and I think they helped us come back and win that second game.”

The Mules rallied from an early three-run deficit in the deciding game, pounding out 18 hits in the process, including two and an RBI by former Raytown High School all-stater Jon Wegener. Former Lee’s Summit North High School standout Alex Kent came out of the bullpen to pitch five innings of four-hit scoreless relief.

“The feeling on this team reminds me of the feeling of the 2007 state championship team at Blue Springs,” said Schwartz, who was a part of the Wildcats title squad when he was a junior. “We’re not just a team; we’re more like a family. We room with different guys each time we go on the road and we all hang out together. I think that’s one reason we’re so successful.”

Schwartz was one of the top players in the history of Blue Springs, and didn’t skip a beat once he advanced to the collegiate level.

He was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year and was named second-team all conference and the All-South Central Region shortstop.

He ranked third on the team with a .363 batting average and was second in hits with 78 his first year as a Mule.

This year, starting all 60 games, he’s hitting .358 with four home runs, 51 RBIs, 70 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, a .464 on-base percentage and a .955 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage). He also is playing a nearly flawless shortstop, and again was a second-team All-MIAA selection.

“Bret picked up this fall where he left off last spring,” Mules head coach Tom Myers said. “He continues to amaze me with his maturity and talent.

“He strives to be the best and make everyone around him better. He is a great defender at shortstop and leader on the infield.”

Those comments don’t surprise Marc Hines, the Blue Springs head coach.

“Bret was one of those players who you knew was going to be a success no matter where he played college ball,” Hines said. “It’s a lot of fun to see how well he’s doing in college.”

Schwartz said there isn’t a day that passes that he doesn’t think about making the right choice by attending Central Missouri, long known as a baseball power.

“When I came here, I thought it was going to be great, and I had high expectations,” said Schwartz, who has a 3.36 grade-point average with a major in social studies. “But going to the World Series is something I dreamed about when I was a little kid. And now, the team is going. It’s unbelievable.”

The Mules – who also include Blue Springs grads Eric Silkwood and Andrew Melanson and Lee’s Summit North grad Eric Cole – take a 51-9 record into first-round action against Tampa at noon CDT on Saturday.