ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — In a game filled with nine extra-base hits, Saturday's contest between Griffon Baseball and Fort Hays State came down to a pivotal at bat for Brenden Andersen at the Spring Sports Complex. 

Knotted up at 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth, Jackson Brant opened up the inning with a double to right field, eventually being pinch ran for by Jayden Singleton. Bryson McArn then struck out but reached first base on a passed ball, allowing Singleton to advance to third base. After Hunter Olson struck out, Andersen sent a ground ball to shortstop and reached on a fielder's choice, forcing a throwing error by Colter Malonado while Singleton scored. Now up 5-4, David Steffen earned his first win of the season with a one-two-three ninth to even up the three-game series.

Steffen pitched five innings to pick up the win, striking out four Tigers while only giving up two earned runs. Starting the game for MWSU, Robert Farrell fanned five batters in four innings while giving up two earned runs.

NOTABLES

• Both leadoff hitters went deep to start off the game, as Ed Scott started the game with a solo home run in the first. Bryson McArn followed suit in the bottom half of the frame with a solo shot of his own.
• Travis Wiese hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh to give MWSU a 4-3 lead. 
• Missouri Western's one, two, three, five and six-spot batters all recorded an RBI. 
• Will Courtney led all hitters at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI in the first.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western (10-28, 7-19 MIAA) and Fort Hays (18-25, 5-13 MIAA) square off in the series rubber match on Sunday at 1 p.m. back at the Spring Sports Complex.