ST. JOSEPH, Mo., - After sweeping then No. 11 Missouri Southern (15-5, 8-4) in a four game series this past weekend, Griffon baseball (12-6, 5-3) enters this weekend's series with Lincoln (1-18, 1-10) in the midst of a seven-game win streak.
 
The first two wins of the Southern series marked the first time the Griffons had defeated a ranked opponent in consecutive games in the Buzz Verduzco era (2000-present). Verduzco's teams had won two games in a series against a ranked team one time before last weekend (2006 vs. Central Missouri). The Griffons received solid pitching performances and opportune offense to complete the historic sweep.
 
Ethan Ward (3-1, 2.05 era) picked up the win in game one over Southern. In game two, Brandon Simmons (4-1, 2.45) held the Lions to just one run. Nik Jurado (2-0, 3.09) pitched seven-shutout innings in game three and Matt Bergin (1-3, 4.86) picked up his first win in relief. Chris Allen (0-0, 9.00) pitched the first four innings of game four.
 
Nate Ramler (.357) hit a three-run home run in game one that proved to be the game winner and added his fifth round-tripper of the year the next day in game two. Andrew Pieper's .375 average paces the Griffon offense. Spencer Shockley was 4-4 in game four and raised his average to .346 on the season. Grant Fink's .328 average is good for fourth on the team, and his 11 RBI are second to Ramler's 17.
 
The Griffons moved to fifth place in the MIAA stadings after being picked third in the preseason coaches' poll. Southern represtented the third ranked opponent for the Griffons this season. The Griffons are now 6-5 against those teams.
 
The weekend series marks the third of five straight series at the MWSU Baseball Field for the Griffons. After this weekend, Western hosts Emporia State for a doubleheader on March 27, and Washburn for a four-game series beginning on March 31. Western then hits the road for a month, with trips to Northwest Missouri, Emporia, Pitt. State and Truman.