ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Griffons will look to get back on track in MIAA competition as they head to play Fort Hays State this coming Friday and Saturday.
PREVIEWING THE GRIFFONSMissouri Western is coming off its toughest series of the season against Missouri Southern, losing three of four games. The Griffons' only win came in game three, with A.J. Martinez pitching a complete game shutout.
The Griffons continue to be consistent offensively with six players batting at least .300.
Cosimo Cannella is batting .368 and has 27 RBIs to lead the team in both categories. Cannella is also second on the team with 39 hits. Missouri Western's
David Glaude has started all 30 games and has accumulated 36 hits, 31 runs and seven home runs. The DH positon remains open with
D'Andre Heggie,
Brandon Downs and
Matt Russell all platooning the position to help the Griffon offense.
On the mound, the Griffons have been effective with five players, tallying a winning record. A.J. Martinez is 4-0 this season with a 3.47 ERA. He has recorded 28 strikeouts and allowed just two home runs in 135 batters faced.
Banks Born is second in the MIAA, sporting his 1.46 ERA and has a record of 3-0 for Missouri Western. Other Griffons with winning records include
Richard Peoples (4-1),
David Anderson (1-0), and
Weston Caindec (1-0).
PREVIEWING FORT HAYS STATEFort Hays State is coming off a 12-4 win against McPherson College on Tuesday evening. Last weekend the Tigers lost three of four games to Northeastern State and come into this weekend with a 7-21 overall record and 5-15 MIAA record.
Offensively, the Tigers are led by Kevin Czarnecki and Connor Ross as they have tallied 36 and 33 hits, respectively. Fort Hays' power hitter is Cooper Langley who currently sits third in the MIAA with 10 home runs. Langley has also batted in 35 runs to lead the team.
Fort Hays pitching has struggled to limit opponents from scoring runs this season with Kyle Vogt recording a team-low 3.26 ERA. He has appeared in 11 games with 15 strikeouts and pitched 19.1 innings. Out of 28 games this season, the Tigers have only managed to get four wins combined from their starting pitchers. Tyler Patty leads the team with 20 strikeouts and 28 innings pitched.
LIMITING HOME RUNSThe Griffons are currently 15-4 when they don't allow the opponent to hit a home run. The pitching staff has combined to give up a total of 18 home runs. When the Griffons allow one home run they have a record of 2-4 and 1-4 when giving up two or more.
CENTENIAL MOMENT In 2013, Michael Schulze was named ABCA All-Central Region Player of the Year. He recorded 94 hits, 70 runs, and tallied 49 RBIs to help the Griffons to a 40-12 overall record.
