Missouri Western (30-14, 23-11) at Fort Hays (25-19, 19-16)
Game 1 (9): Friday, May 4 - 6 p.m
Games 2 (7) & 3 (7): Saturday, May 5 - 2 & 4 p.m.
Game 4 (7): Sunday, May 5 - Noon

Live Stats | Season Stats | Career Stats

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

The Griffons enter the season finale with a chance to become just the second team in school history to finish second in the MIAA standings (2005). One win this weekend will secure a second place finish. Western's 23 wins against MIAA competition so far this year are the second most in school history after winning 24 in 2011. After winning its 30th game this season, Western baseball has won 30 or more games for the fifth time since 2001. 

GRIFFONS AND BEARCATS BRING THE RAIN

Mother Nature forced Western to cancel the final two games of its series with Southwest Baptist last weekend. It was the second straight year that weather played a part in the series. After beginning last season's series in Bolivar, rain forced the conclusion in St. Joseph, including resuming a game postponed in Bolivar. 

RECORD WATCH

Brandon Simmons earned his 10th win of the season against Southwest Baptist to tie him for the second most wins in a season all-time. Simmons will likely have a chance to tie A.J. Huttenlocker for first all time with 11 in a season against Ft. Hays this weekend. With 22 career victories, Simmons sits fourth on the all-time wins list at Western. 

SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS

Western continues to get solid pitching, with its 3.34 team era second in the MIAA. Individually, Simmons' 1.61 is good for second in the conference and Nik Jurado's 1.72 is good for third. Spencer Shockley's .388 average leads Western and places him ninth among MIAA hitters. Shockley's 11 doubles are tied for second on the team with Nate Ramler. Grant Fink's 12 pace the team. Michael Schulze's five doubles this season lead the MIAA. As a team, the Griffons are batting .271. 

GRIFFONS vs. THE TIGERS

Ft. Hays holds a 12-9 advantage in the series since 2001. The Griffons dropped three of four to the Tigers in the 2011 regular season, but took a thrilling 5-4 decision over Hays on an Isaac Rome walk-off home run during the MIAA tournament last season.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS 

Hays sits fourth in the MIAA standings; a half game behind third place Emporia State. The Tigers' Ryan Busboom was just named MIAA Hitter of the Week for the second time this season. Busboom leads the MIAA in home runs (16), RBI (64) and is tied for the conference lead with 64 hits. As a team, Fort Hays leads the MIAA with a .333 team batting average. The Tigers' combined team era is 6.65 and opponents are batting .316 against them.