Box Score Sioux Falls, S.D. ---  Augustana downed Minnesota State 16-2 in the final game of the 2023 NCAA Central Regional Championship Saturday afternoon at Ronken Field in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
With the loss, the Mavericks season comes to an end with a 43-17 record, marking the first time they have won 40-plus games in a season since it went 46-11 in 2017.   It is the tenth time in program history the Mavericks have won 40 or more games in a season.
 
The Vikings struck first in the bottom of the second as they recorded three straight hits – two singles and a bunt single to load the bases.  A fielder's choice would push across the first run of the inning, however Maverick starter Taesi Yahiro would use a strikeout and groundout to get out of the inning without any additional damage.
 
The Vikings then went on to score 11 runs over the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to put the game out of reach.  The Vikings also added four in the bottom of the eighth. 
 
Yahiro went 4.1 innings in the loss allowing six runs – five earned – on nine hits while striking out two.  Ashton Michek picked up the win for Augustana going seven innings, scattering five hits and striking out five.
 
Second baseman Matthew Fleischhacker, Ryan Wickman and Adam Weed all had two hits in the loss.  Third baseman Mikey Gottschalk was 1-for-3 from the plate with a home run and two runs batted in.
 
With the win, Augustana advances to the 2023 NCAA Division II World Series in Cary, North Carolina early next month.