Box Score Season Stats

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Griffons put runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the ninth against the 5th ranked Mules of Central Missouri but unfortunately a ground ball by pinch hitter Jared Bell ended the Griffons rally as Western fell 3-1 in the MIAA Tournament. Nik Juardo pitched a complete game throwing 152 pitches while scattering eight hits. He falls to 8-2 on the season while the Griffons fall to 34-16. Western takes on the Fort Hays State Tigers in an elimination game starting at 2:30 pm from CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

The Mules got on the board first in the top of the first when Jon Coons singled in Gabe Thibodeau from second base giving the Mules the 1-0 lead. Western answered in the bottom of the second when Grant Fink doubled down the right field line and Jimmy Smelcer hit a single up the middle tying the score at one after two.

The Mules left the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth innings but were able to plate two in the fifth which proved to be the deciding runs. Thibodeau doubled down the right field line and then a throwing error by Smelcer allowed Coons to single in Thibodeau and Brad Wilson to single in Schwartz who reached on the error.

The Griffons best threat besides the ninth inning was in the seventh when they loaded the bases but a hard line drive to first by Michael Schulze ended the Griffons threat.

Western scattered seven hits with Kyle Peterson going 2-for-4. Western left seven runners on base in the contest.

The Mules had eight hits with Coons going 3-for-3 and Thibodeau going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Lee Stoppelman improves to 9-0 as he went 6.2 innings giving up five hits while striking out six. Travis Unthank picked up his ninth save giving up two hits in a third of an inning. The Mules improve to 43-7 with the victory.