RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Missouri Western Baseball opened its season up going 1-1 on the day against Arkansas Tech. The Griffons fell in 12 innings, 8-7, in game one and earned a 10-5 victory in game two.
Game 1The Griffons were first on the board in game one when
Jeremy Alvarado singled to center field to
Nick Gawley. MWSU's lead didn't last long as Arkansas Tech answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Missouri Western built a five run lead scoring three runs in the fifth inning and two runs in the sixth inning. Arkansas Tech responded in the bottom of the seventh with four runs themselves powered by two hits. ATU also scored on a balk and fielder's choice in the seventh inning.
Alex Heuring recorded a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning but the Griffon bats remained idle for the rest of the game. Arkansas Tech scored one run in the bottom of the eighth inning and one in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game.
ATU scored one run in the bottom of the 12
th inning as Parker O'Dell singled to left field, bringing home Marcus Wilson to win the game.
Nick Gawley finished the game with four hits and one run while
Jeremy Alvarado and
Ozzie Rodriguez both produced two hits each.
Richard Peoples pitched 6.1 innings, allowing six hits, four runs and recorded two strikeouts.
GAME 2, MWSU 10, Arkansas Tech 5Missouri Western scored in every inning except the second, cruising to a 10-5 win to earn the split on day one.
The Griffons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first but then fell behind 2-1 after two Wonder Boy runs in the second. The Griffons added one in the third, two in the fourth, four in the fifth and one each in the sixth and the seventh to give starter
Alex Clavet the win.
Cosimo Cannella went 3-3 at the plate in game two with four RBIs and hit his second home run of the day.
Brandon Downs finished game two 4-4 at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored and his first home run of the season. Alvarado went 2-4 in the second game with two runs scored. Clavet went five innings, giving up five runs on five hits. He struck out three and walked three.
Missouri Western and Arkansas Tech wrap up the series on Sunday with a nine inning game beginning at noon.
