ST. JOSEPH, MO. - The Griffons look to keep pace in the MIAA while traveling to Washburn for a four-game series starting on Friday afternoon.

GRIFFON PREVIEW

Missouri Western is coming off a 10-5 win against Central Missouri on Tuesday. The Griffons fell behind early in the game but managed to score four runs in the third inning and added three more in the eighth inning to seal the victory.

The Griffons have continued to produce runs, putting up 146 in their first 21 games of the season. MWSU is currently 7-0 this season when scoring 10 or more runs and have averaged 6.9 runs per game. Missouri Western has a .311 batting average, placing them in the top-five of the MIAA. The Griffons have accumulated 124 RBIs on the season, compared to their opponents' 77 RBIs.

David Glaude and Cosimo Cannella are leading the team with .389 batting averages, both tallying 28 hits so far this season. Glaude is tied for third in the MIAA with six homeruns and also has 18 RBIs. The Griffons' Mitch Thorman and Cody Childs have also been dangerous hitters in the line-up, combining for 12 doubles, 28 runs and 42 hits.

Missouri Western's pitching staff has been the MIAA's best, carrying a league low 3.53 ERA. The Griffons have allowed 90 runs throughout the season, with 66 of those being earned runs. The staff has combined to record 119 strikeouts and 72 walks.  Banks Born (2-0), Richard Peoples (4-1), Matt Russell (2-1) and A.J. Martinez (3-0) all have winning records.

ICHABOD PREVIEW

The Washburn Ichabods are off to one of their best starts in school history and currently rank #21 in the MCBWA poll. Last weekend, Washburn split with Emporia State and played Newman University Wednesday, losing 6-1.

Washburn has been consistent with eight players starting all 18 games this season. They have outscored their opponents 184-92 and recorded 162 RBIs. Parker Gibson has been the Ichabods' most efficient player so far this season, batting .500 with 36 hits and 31 runs. WU has five other players averaging at least a .300 batting average, recording at least 50 at-bats.

Mike Hefferan and Eric Schmid are both 3-0 on the season with ERAs of 1.08 and 2.18, respectively. The Ichabods have four other players with two wins. The pitching staff has combined to tally 119 strikeouts and allowed 54 walks.

GRIFFONS FACE ANOTHER RANKED OPPONENT

The Griffons have already played three ranked teams this season and have been successful against those teams so far this season. This will be Missouri Western's third ranked team of the season.

Missouri Western started off the season with No. 17 Arkansas Tech and ended up winning two games while falling twice in the weekend. The Griffons then faced #4 Emporia State, losing game one but taking three straight to win the series.

Washburn comes into the weekend ranked No. 21 and have a record of 16-3, 10-2. The Ichabods are currently ranked second in the MIAA behind Missouri Southern.