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The Missouri Western State University Griffons (1-2, 0-0 MIAA) will be at home for the first time this season taking on the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lobers in a four game series. The Griffons are 4-2 against the Lopers since 2001 after spliting with them last season in Chanute, Kan. in a doubleheader. Western fell in the opener 4-2 before winning the night cap 17-16. The Lpers come into the series 0-3 as they fell to MIAA opponent Emporia State in all three games last weekend.
Off to a 0-3 start, the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers will look to get on the right track. The Nebraska-Kearney baseball team has been picked third overall, and tied with New Mexico HIghlands for first in the Plains Division, in the 2012 RMAC Preseason Coaches poll. They are coming off a season where they made it to the NCAA Sweet 16 going 38-19 overall and 27-11 in RMAC play.
Senior southpaw Mike Loseke (Arvada, Colo.) and junior catcher Chandler Klute (Kearney H.S.) were selected to the preseason team. Klute is one of only three position players returning to the UNK lineup this year. In 2011, he batted .312 with 34 RBI's, 35 runs and 13 doubles. Loseke, in his first year as a Loper, worked mainly out of the pen in 2011 and went 8-2 with a 4.90 ERA.
Western finished 26-25 in 2011, making it to the MIAA Tournament once again. The Griffons won the program's first ever conference tournament game last season and look to improve on last season's success with an experienced and talented roster.
Last weekend against North Alabama the Griffons were led offensively by junior college transfer
Grant Fink. He hit .556 going 5-for-9 in the three games. He had two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI on the weekend. On the bump junior
Brandon Simmons picked up the Griffons lone victory going seven strong innings giving up one earned run while striking out six.
