ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western baseball (1-10) lost to the University of Mary (4-5) by an unconventional score of 26-22 on Wednesday at the Spring Sports Complex. The combined total of 48 runs scored by both teams is the highest of any game this season in NCAA Division II, with the previous record being 42 runs.
 
UMary opened the game strong with a solo home run, quickly establishing an early lead with seven runs. However, a 2-RBI double from Anthony Taggart in the bottom of the first inning ignited a solid offensive response, allowing the Griffons to take a one-run lead heading into the second.
 
The Marauders regained the lead in the next inning, scoring seven runs and holding their advantage for the remainder of the 4-hour and 26-minute game. The Griffons fought back, narrowing the gap to as little as four runs with an RBI double from Kaden Green on the final play, but it ultimately wasn't enough to secure a victory.
 
Jackson Bryant (3-5) and Frank Gall (3-6) led the team with three hits each, including a triple. Gall and Taggert each contributed three RBIs, while Blake Venneman had a strong performance, going 2-for-3 with three runs, three walks and two RBIs.
 
In the opposing dugout, Bryce Leafgren went 5-for-7, finishing just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Four different Marauders hit home runs, but they also left 16 runners on base.
 
Western had 10 different players enter the bump. Senior Jon Stanley picked up a no-decision in his first start of the season, while Carson Ripley (0-1) was charged with the loss. Josh Nolte led the game with a season-high five strikeouts in his fourth relief appearance of the season.
 
Six different Marauders appeared on the mound. Junior Ryan Facchini (1-0) collected his first win of the season, and Jacob Burgess led the team with three strikeouts.
 
Missouri Western will return to action this Friday through Sunday for a three-game series against the Fort Hays State Tigers. The series opener will take place on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Larks Park in Hays, Kansas.