ST. JOSEPH -
Noah Cook had a career day, but Missouri Western baseball fell 10-8 to Washburn in a series-opening slugfest of MIAA foes at the Spring Sports Complex.
The Griffs found themselves in an early 2-0 hole after the first inning, before coming back to tie it at 2-2 in the bottom of the second. The remainder of the game played out like a broken record of the first two innings, with the Griffons answering every Ichabod blow. Western (12-6 overall) tied the game on three different occasions, but never took the lead.
With the game tied 8-8 heading into the final frame, Washburn added two runs in the top of the ninth to reclaim the lead the final time and hold on for the victory.
Pitcher
Zack Cushing (3-1) suffered his first loss of 2024 in long relief.
Noah Cook went a perfect 5-5 at the plate with a home run, 2 RBI and three runs scored.
Jackson Bryant went 2-5 with a double, a triple, 2 RBI and two runs scored.
The Griffons, who have won four straight series, will try to even things up in game two of the three-game set on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1pm at the Spring Sports Complex.