Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Video
MWSU Stats | Tournament Bracket | Tournament Program
 
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Western will open up the first round of the MIAA tournament against Missouri Southern on Thursday evening in St. Charles, Missouri at 7:30 p.m.
 
Previewing Missouri Western
The Griffons finished the season with a 34-16 overall record and a 26-13 MIAA record. They have earned the fourth seed in the MIAA tournament after sweeping Lincoln in the final series of the weekend. MWSU also sits ninth in the Central Regional rankings.
 
The Griffons have outscored opponents 432-305 this season, averaging 8.6 runs per game. As a team, they are hitting .333 and hit 60 home runs. Jeremy Alvarado leads the team with 13 home runs and contributing 55 RBIs. Landon Mason and David Glaude are hitting .416 and .413, respectively. Glaude leads the team with 78 runs scored,  20 doubles, and 63 RBIs. Orencio Fisher is hitting .327, scored 70 runs and stole a team-high 25 bases.
 
On the mound, Preston Bailey continues to lead the team with a 3.70 ERA and is second on the team with 55 strikeouts. Richard Peoples and Weston Caindec have each pitched 70 innings this year and have combined to strike out 110 batters on the season. Alex Clavet and Evan Jones have combined for an 11-3 overall record.
 
Previewing Missouri Southern
Missouri Southern has compiled a 32-18 overall and a 22-17 MIAA record this season. They will enter the tournament as the fifth seed. Last weekend, Missouri Southern dropped two of its last three games to Northeastern State, falling in game one 5-4 and game three 3-2. They picked up a 4-1 victory in game two. Missouri Southern is currently not ranked in the Central Regional standings.
 
MSSU is hitting .322 as a team with nine players hitting over .300.  Offensively, the Lions have scored 401 runs  this year and Jesse Rall leads the team with 60 runs scored. Rall has also tallied 18 home runs, tying him for third in the MIAA. Chis Hoffman is hitting .368 and is tied for a team-high 70 hits this year. Jacob Bryant leads the team with 20 steals and is second on the team with a .366 batting average. Richie Gorski has a slugging percentage of .628 while tallying 20 doubles and 10 home runs.
 
The pitching staff has a 4.80 ERA and has struck out 354 batters this year. Payton Walker and Cody Hutchinson has both picked up eight wins on the mound for the Lions. Walker has pitched 90.2 innings and has a team low 2.68 ERA and 72 strikeouts. Four other pitchers have tallied at least two wins on the season.
 
Previous Meeting Against Missouri Southern
March 18^th - #21 Missouri Southern 14, Missouri Western 2 (7 Innings) – Game Recap
March 19^th - #21 Missouri Southern 12, Missouri Western 2 (7 innings) – Game Recap 
March 20^th – Missouri Western 12, #21 Missouri Southern 2 (7 Innings) – Game Recap
 
Last Year In the MIAA Tournament
Last year in the MIAA tournament, Missouri Western fell in two games against Washburn. Game one ended in the 10^th innings with Washburn winning 6-5. In game two, the Griffons season dropped the game against Washburn 9-1.

Game One – Box Score
Game Two – Box Score
 
Tournament Schedule
The tournament will feature four games the first three days and a possibility of three games on the final day.
 
Thursday, May 12, 2016 
Game 1: #3 Washburn vs. #6 Northeastern State                       9 a.m.     
Game 2: #2 Emporia State vs. #7 Central Oklahoma                 12:30 p.m. 
Game 3: #1 Central Missouri vs. #8 Northwest Missouri             4 p.m. 
Game 4: #4 Missouri Western vs. #5 Missouri Southern             7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 13, 2016 
Game 5: Loser game 1 vs. Loser game 2                                    9 a.m.
Game 6: Loser game 3 vs. Loser game 4                                   12:30 p.m.
Game 7: Winner game 1 vs. Winner game 2                                4 p.m.
Game 8: Winner game 3 vs. Winner game 4                                7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 14, 2016 
Game 9: Loser game 7 vs. Winner game 5                                   9 a.m.
Game 11: Winner game 8 vs. Winner game 9                               12:30 p.m.
Game 10: Loser game 8 vs. Winner game 6                                 4 p.m.
Game 12: Winner game 7 vs. Winner game 10                             7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2016 
Game 13: Winner game 11 vs. Loser game 11                              9 a.m.
 (If neccessary)
Game 14: Winner game 12 vs. Loser game 12                             12:30 p.m.
(If neccessary)
Game 15: MIAA Championship                                                    4 p.m.