ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (April 27, 2017) –
Zach Girrens held Missouri Western hitless for 5.2 innings and the Mules held them scoreless for 7.1 innings, but the Griffons scored four runs in the eighth inning to rally past UCM for a 4-3 win in Thursday's series opener.
Collin Nevil got the Mules (30-13, 21-10 MIAA) on the board right out of the gates with a two-run home to right field, his 12th of the season.
Missouri Western (26-18, 23-11 MIAA) registered its first hit of the game with two outs in the sixth on Levi Schreiner's single to left. The Griffons got another single from Dusty Stroup, but Girrens got Alex Heuring to foul out to first to end the inning.
The Mules added to the lead in the top of the eighth when
Cole Distler drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-0 UCM.
The Griffons got on the board for the first time and took the lead in the bottom of the inning, however. Logan Marston drove in the first run on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded. With runners at first and second and two outs Bailey Zimmer struck out, but a wild pitch allowed him to reach first and extend the inning. Jeremy Alvarado then cleared the bases with a double down the left field line and Missouri Western led 4-3.
The Mules got a two-out walk from pinch-hitter
Elijah Dilday in the in top of the ninth and a stolen base from pinch-runner
Mason Janvrin, but couldn't push the tying run across.
Girrens pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two singles while striking out five and walking five.
Luke Mercer (2-3) took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits in one inning of work.
Zach Cross (2-1) earned the win in relief for the Griffons after striking out four of the five batters he faced.
The series will wrap up on Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at the Griffon Baseball Field.
