Box Score WARRENSBURG, Mo. – St. Edward's sophomore starting pitcher Brad Nasis kept top-seeded Central Missouri off balance and made the pitches when it counted to lead the sixth-seeded Hilltoppers to a first round, 8-6 upset on day one of the 2012 NCAA South Central Regional at Crane Stadium.

Nasis pitched 7.1 strong innings, allowing six runs (three earned) off of six hits, while walking four and striking out three.

St. Edward's (36-14) blitzed #5 Central Missouri (44-8) from the plate at the beginning, scoring five runs in the first four innings to take a 5-0 lead. Taylor Johnson led off the first inning with a double to centerfield, stole third base and came in to score on a throwing error by the catcher. Johnson also had the big hit in the second inning, when his bases-clearing triple to the wall down the right field line gave St. Edward's a 4-0 lead. The Hilltoppers would score an unearned run in the fourth inning to make it 5-0.

The Mules fought back with a five-run fifth-inning, however, St. Edward's had the answer. The Hilltoppers got an RBI-double from Kyle Harris and a two-run single by Adam Shank in the sixth inning to make it 8-5.

With the bases loaded in the eighth inning, St. Edward's went to its bullpen. Stephen Johnson came in, and after allowing a single to score one run, left three runners stranded and the lead still at 8-6. Central Missouri would load the bases once again in the ninth inning, but Johnson nailed down his nation-leading 17th save with a strikeout looking on the last batter.

Johnson allowed just two hits, while walking two and striking out four in 1.2 innings of work.

“We were fortunate to get the game turned in our direction early,” head coach Rob Penders said. “Getting ahead of one of the best pitchers in our region helps boost your confidence. We rode that the whole game, especially in the top of the sixth inning when we responded to their big inning. In playoff baseball you are always trying to gain momentum. Also, when you have guys competing on the mound like Brad and Stephen, it makes it a lot easier for your defense to control the game.”

St. Edward's will be back in action Friday at 3 p.m. when they take on third-seeded Angelo State. The game will have FREE live video and live stats. The Rams lost to Southern Arkansas.

St. Edward's Post-Game Interview

Central Missouri Post-Game Interview