The Missouri Western baseball team begins MIAA play this week as they host Washburn Friday and Saturday in a three-game series at the Griffon Spring Sports Complex.  This is the home opening series for MWSU after beginning the season last weekend in Joplin and Pittsburg.
 
The Griffons split a doubleheader on Sunday at the MIAA/GLVC crossover hosted by Missouri Southern.  Missouri Western defeated Missouri S&T, 14-3, but fell to Southern in 10 innings, 4-2.  On Monday, MWSU played a two-city doubleheader as they lost to S&T 9-6 in Joplin and then drove to Pittsburg and dropped a game to Pitt State, 17-10.
 
Alex Crouch is off to a hot start offensively as he's hitting .500 (8-for-16) through the first four games with two home runs and nine RBI.  Chaz Verduzco has a .455 (5-for-11) average so far, while Maurice Bruce (.357, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and Bailey Crump (.333, 4 HR, 7 RBI) have also helped the Griffons average 8.3 runs per game.
 
The Missouri Western pitching staff has a 7.64 ERA after the first four games, but did get two quality starts from Jacob Weirich and Roy Robles.  Weirich gave up one unearned run and two hits in six innings against Missouri Southern, and he struck out nine.  Robles went five innings against Missouri S&T and he also struck out nine as he gave up three runs and eight hits in five innings.
 
Washburn is 0-4 so far this season as they dropped all four games of their series at Regis this past weekend in Denver.  The Ichabods went 11-11 and 3-3 in the MIAA in 2020 before the season was shut down due the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Griffons did get swept by Washburn last season in a three-game series at Topeka.
 
MISSOURI WESTERN VS. WASHBURN
Friday, Feb. 26 | Griffon Park | St. Joseph, MO
Game One – 3:00 p.m. – LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
 
Saturday, Feb. 27 | Griffon Park | St. Joseph, MO
Game One – 1:00 p.m. – LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
Game One – 4:00 p.m. – LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO