CLAREMORE, Okla. — Griffon Baseball found itself on the right end of an all-out dogfight on Friday afternoon, defeating Rogers State 15-12 in game one of a three-game series at the Diamond Sports Complex.

Missouri Western (5-14, 2-9 MIAA) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to a two-run Jared Munk double. The Hillcats (15-8, 4-7 MIAA) came back swinging with a five-run bottom of the second, taking a 5-2 lead. A pair of RBI singles from Hunter Rumachik and Noah Wenger brought the Griffons within a 5-4 deficit and set the stage for a series-defining moment. 

With the bases locked and loaded in the fifth, Jayden Singleton smashed a grand slam to left field, giving his Griffs an 8-5 lead. After two solo shots from Hunter Rumachik and Jerry Nix padded MWSU's lead to 10-5, RSU stormed back with a four-run sixth and cut the Griffs' lead down to 10-9. However, a three-run top of the seventh by MWSU highlighted by two RBI singles by Brenden Andersen and Rumachik gave the Griffons all the insurance they needed for the 15-12 win.

NOTABLES

• Andersen went 4-for-4 with one RBI and three runs scored.
• Singleton's grand slam is the Griffons' first of the season.
• The MWSU pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts, led ny Zack Cushing's four. 
• Missouri Western's 18 marks a season-high.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western and Rogers meet up again tomorrow at 2 p.m. back at the Diamond Sports Complex.