Missouri Western State Griffons (21-11, 14-8)
at No. 22 Emporia State Hornets (20-10, 15-8)
Trusler Sports Complex - Emporia, Kan.
MIAA Doubleheader - Tuesday, April 10, 2 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.
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Battle for position
The Griffons head to Emporia with second place in the MIAA standings on the line. The No. 22 Hornets currently sit alone in second, a half game ahead of Western. Missouri Western will be looking to scramble the preseason coaches poll order, in which they were picked to finish third behind Central Missouri and Emporia State respectively. The Griffons will also be looking to atone for a doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Hornets back on March 27 at the Griffon Spring Sports Complex.
Another ranked opponent
Today's doubleheader marks the fifth series against a ranked opponent for the Griffons this season. Western opened the season at then No. 9 North Alabama. They opened MIAA play with Central Missouri, when the Mules were No. 2 in the nation. Western won back to back games against a ranked team for the first time in the Buzz Verduzco era when it swept a four-game series over then No. 11 Missouri Southern. Emporia State came to St. Joseph as the No. 28 team in the country on March 27 when it swept the Griffs. The Griffons are 6-7 againt ranked teams this season.
Buzz looks for 350
Missouri Western head coach Buzz Verduzco awaits his 350th victory as the Griffons' skipper. Western's 7-5 win at Northwest Missouri on April 7 was the 349th win for coach Verduzco. Buzz is in his 13th season at Missouri Western and currently holds an all-time record of 349-289.
No place like home
The Griffons' two wins at Northwest Missouri this past weekend improved their record away from home to just 4-7. The split with the Bearcats marked the best series finish on the road for Western so far this season, after losing two of three at North Alabama to open the season and dropping three of four at Central Missouri in early March. Today's doubleheader games are the fifth and sixth of 14 straight on the road for the Griffons.
Scouting the Hornets
Shawn Talkington was just named the MIAA pitcher of the week. It marked the second week in a row that a Hornet hurler received the award and the third time this season an Emporia player was named pitcher or player of the week. The Hornets are batting .337 as a team and feature a lineup with five players batting over .350; eight over .300.
On deck
Western continues its road swing with a weekend series at Pittsburg State this weekend. The Griffons and Gorillas are slated to play two doubleheaders beginning on Saturday, April 14, and wrap up the series on Sunday.
