ST. JOSEPH, MO. – A critical fifth-inning rally helped Missouri Western secure a come-from-behind 9-5 victory over Rogers State Thursday.
 
Opening a crucial Senior Weekend 2024 MIAA set against the Hillcats at Griffon Park, head coach Damian Stambersky's squad found themselves on the short end of a 4-1 score going into their half of the fifth. With two outs and a run in, sophomore outfielder Anthony Taggart (Topeka, Kan.) brought the home crowd to its feet with a two-run single, tying the count at 4-4. Infielder Travis Wiese (Vancouver, Wash.) followed with a three-bag blast that plated the eventual winning tallies. Three more scores over the seventh and eighth wrapped up a 9-5 league triumph. The Griffons must sweep the three game series to keep their MIAA Tournament hopes alive.
 
Junior infielder Kaden Doan (Frisco, Texas) rapped out three hits with two RBI, and junior infielder Blake Anderson (Overland Park, Kan.) tallied two hits and scored twice to lead a 10-hit resume. It was more than enough to support senior pitcher Sam Kratz (Mason City, Iowa) to claim his fourth victory, and junior relief pitcher Robert Farrell (Joliet, Ill.) secured his seventh save of the season, and the 12th of his career, which breaks the Missouri Western all-time mark previously held by Preston Bailey (2016-2018).

The game's completion marked a more-than eight hour stop-and-go day at the Spring Sports Complex. The contest - originally slated to begin at noon -  was pushed back to a 12:48 pm start time to weather. Playing through a steady mist through the first three innings, the skies opened again, which delayed play again until 6 pm. 
 
The weekend schedule has been changed to pending inclement weather. The Griffons and Hillcats are scheduled to meet Friday (4/26) at 5 p.m.  April 26, with the series finale set for Saturday at noon. Senior Day is slated to begin after Saturday's contest.