WICHITA, Ks. — What looks powerful on paper wasn't quite enough for Griffon Baseball to beat the Jets in their series finale this Monday, losing 14-10 at McCarthy Field.
Missouri Western (4-14, 2-7 MIAA) went ahead of Newman (14-8) early on, a large part thanks to Alex Crouch's first home run of the game. His two-run bombs in the third and and sixth innings give him nine home runs this season, keeping him fourth in the MIAA. Despite those dingers, the Jets flew around the bases in the fourth, jolting starting pitcher Jordan Akins for four runs in the frame.
Newman built an 8-3 lead before back-to-back-to-back big flies by Crouch, Brenden Andersen and Hunter Rumachik pulled the game within one run. The Jets jarred MWSU's momentum with two more runs in the second and four more in the eighth to pull away for good. The Griffons didn't go out quietly, however, scoring two runs in the ninth with an RBI double by Zach Hanlan and a two-run homer by Riley Higgins.
This is the third-straight game the Griffons pulled together 12 hits or more. It's also the fifth game in row they've given up 10 or more runs.
Next Up
Missouri Western gets Tuesday off before coming back home for a single game with No. 13 Central Missouri (15-3, 9-0 MIAA) on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Spring Sports Complex's Griffon Baseball Field. The Mules are riding a 10-game winning streak as of late and have won the last three matchups with MWSU.
