ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western baseball team had its MIAA and home opener on Friday as they began a three-game series with Washburn at the Griffon Spring Sports Complex.  MWSU won the opener against the Ichabods, 5-3, as they improve to 2-3 this season and 1-0 in the MIAA.
 
Maurice Bruce got the Griffons off to a good start as he walked with the bases loaded in the first inning and then he hit a two-out triple in the fifth that drove in three runs.  That put Missouri Western up 4-0 and it turned out to be enough.
 
Washburn answered back with two runs in the sixth inning before Bailey Crump hit a solo home run in the seventh for his fifth of the season. 
 
Roy Robles earned the win for MWSU as he allowed one run and six hits in six innings of work.  Robles struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.  Jacob Standridge earned the save as he went 1.1 innings and allowed just one hit.
 
Bruce and Alex Crouch led the Griffons with two hits each, while Crouch scored two runs.
 
Missouri Western and Washburn will wrap up their series Saturday in St. Joseph as they play a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Griffon Spring Sports Complex.