Western opened the UCM series with a convincing 8-3 victory, were handled in game two, lost a 6-0 lead in game three and struggled to find any offense in the series finale.  The Griffons will be looking for the offense to return after a strong finish in the Nebraska-Kearney series and a promising opener against Central Missouri.
 
The Griffons face a University of Mary team that has played all nine of its games on the road; none too close to home in Bismark, N.D. The Marauders opened the season in Minneapolis at the Metrodome, before heading to Winter Haven, Fla., for their next seven games.
 
Mary has gotten off to a rough start offensiviely, scoring no more than four runs in any game this season. The Marauders are averaging 2.2 runs per game and carry a staff ERA of 5.45.
 
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.
 
Western returns three solid starters on the mound in Brandon Simmons, Nik Jurado and Matt Bergin. The Griffons will look for Bubba Dotson, Shawn Egge and Michael Schulze to be immediate impact kids in the field to go along with returners Spencer Shockley and Tony Loeffler.