ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — After a 2-2 season-opening road trip in Oklahoma, Griffon Baseball begins their 2024 home schedule with a three-game series vs. St. Cloud State this Friday at the Spring Sports Complex.

SKIPPER SYNOPSIS
Friday marks Damian Stambersky's first time serving as head coach at home. His adversary is Pat Dolan, a 16-year veteran of St. Cloud. Taking the reins in 2007, Dolan is 546-204-1 in his career. 

NOTABLES

• The Griffons erased two late-inning deficits last weekend, scoring comeback victories of 6-2 and 11-8 over Southwestern Oklahoma State.
• Through four games, Missouri Western's pitching staff now sits third in the MIAA with a team ERA of 4.68. 
• The Griffons are second in the MIAA with two triples.
• Western is a perfect 9-for-9 when attempting stolen bases, making the Griffons one of just three teams in the conference who haven't been thrown out.
• Noah Cook is tied for third in the MIAA with five RBI.
• Quinton Robertson is 14th in the conference with a .500 batting average.
• With five seven hits and five runs scored, Robertson is also tied for third in both categories.
• Pitcher Zack Cushing is tied for second in the MIAA with eight strikeouts.

SCOUTING ST. CLOUD STATE | FEB. 9-11
Representing the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, St. Cloud (1-2) comes in after below .500 showing at a stacked Houston Winter Invitational from Feb. 2-4 in Houston, Texas. The Huskies defeated No. 9 Southern New Hampshire 21-11 to start the season, but then lost 9-4 to Arkansas Tech and 7-2 to No. 7 Millersville. St. Cloud is coming off a 33-20 season that ended in the NCAA Central Regional. 

Who to Watch
The Huskies are headed up by senior outfielder Mitchell Gumbko, who leads the team with five hits and is second with a .417 batting average. Brayden Jacobson leads St. Cloud with five RBI. The Huskies as a unit are hitting .283 as a team.

On the mound, Luke Tupy has thrown 4.1 innings and holds a team-best ERA of 2.08. Peyton VanBeck has the most punchouts and innings thrown for the Huskies, striking out 10 batters in 5.2 innings of work. Overall, the Huskies have a team ERA of 6.84. 

First Pitch Times
Friday, Feb. 9 | 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 10 | 1 p.m. (DH)
Sunday, Feb. 11 | 12 p.m.