EDMOND, Okla. — Missouri Western Baseball battled with No. 13 Central Oklahoma in the first conference matchup of the season, holding the Bronchos to just one run until the seventh inning before falling, 8-4. 

Griffon pitcher Brayden McCollough kept the Bronchos (9-2, 1-0 MIAA) hitless for three innings until UCO recorded a double in the fourth. The runner advanced to third on an error and then scored on a wild pitch to give UCO a 1-0 lead.

Central Oklahoma scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh but only recorded one hit. Mistakes hurt the Griffons (3-4, 0-1 MIAA), with errors and balks allowing the Bronchos to advance runners and score. The Griffons scored in the top of the eighth when Jared Munk came home thanks to a fielder's choice by Brenden Andersen.

The Bronchos scored four runs in the eighth inning before the Griffons tallied three runs in the ninth, as Jayden Singleton was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to plate Hunter Olson. Munk flew out on a sacrifice fly to score Noah Wenger, and Hunter Rumachik cut the deficit in half with a double down the right-field line to score Travis Wiese.

However, the rally came up short, and the Griffons fell, 8-4.

NOTABLES

• Brayden McCollough pitched three innings of shutout baseball, striking out six batters.
• The Griffons recorded seven hits in the contest.
• Wiese led the way for the Griffons, going 3-for-4 with a run.

UP NEXT
The Griffons and Bronchos will square off in game two of the series tomorrow, with first pitch set for 3 p.m. in Edmond at Wendell Simmons Field.