ST. JOSEPH – Griffon Baseball (26-22, 18-16) dropped the first game of a three-game series against Nebraska Kearney (28-20, 21-13), but clinched its spot in the MIAA Championships with Lindenwood's loss to Emporia State.
 
Nebraska Kearney touched the Griffons for 12 runs while Missouri Western scratched three across. The Griffons led 2-1 after one inning on a Casey Danley solo home run and a two-out RBI double by Dusty Stroup in the first. UNK answered with two runs each in the second, third and fourth before a four-run fifth really opened the game up.
 
Despite the loss, Lindenwood's 7-2 loss in the first game of a three-game series with Emporia State clinched the Griffons' spot in the MIAA's postseason tournament.
 
Michael Miller went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Danley also went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a runs scored. Nate Hunter (8-3) took the loss.
 
UP NEXT
Game two of the Griffons' final series of the regular season will begin at 7 p.m., Saturday. It will be senior day with 10 Griffon seniors recognized prior to Saturday's game.