ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western baseball (3-18, 2-10 MIAA) stays on the road for four conference games this week.

The first comes up Tuesday at Emporia State. First pitch from the Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia is set for 3 p.m.

The Griffons then head to Topeka to take on Washburn. Those games at Falley Field are set for Friday at 4, Saturday at 2 and Sunday at 1 p.m.
  
Top Performers
Blake Venneman has had a recent surge at the plate for the Griffons, including an impressive four-hit game against the Northeastern RiverHawks (3/8). He leads the team in both batting average (.344) and on-base percentage (.451) while collecting 22 hits and a team-leading 11 walks.
 
Quinn Gundelfinger has also been strong at the plate, leading the team with 23 hits, including three home runs and three doubles. His go-head grand slam at Griffon Park against NSU (3/9) helped the Griffs snap a 13-game losing skid. He also leads the team with 20 RBIs.
 
Frank Gall has also stood out in his first season as a Griffon, recording 23 hits that include three home runs, three triples (t-2^nd MIAA) and a double, along with 19 RBIs and a team-best 16 runs scored. The St. Joseph native leads the team with 16 stolen bases on 17 attempts.
 
Logan Winkelman has played a crucial role for Western on the mound, recording a 7.71 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP across 25.2 innings. He leads the team with 29 strikeouts, followed by Lynden Bruegman, who has notched 25 strikeouts thus far.
 
Jayson Shorb, Josh Nolte, Carson Rosen and Jacob Ross have been key players from the bullpen this season as well.

That's Mine
Missouri Western ranks No. 3 in the MIAA with 42 stolen bases on 57 attempts. Conversely, Missouri Western has caught 11 runners stealing this season – second most of any team in the league.

Extra Bases
Missouri Western has hit 8 triples so far this season – third most of any team in the MIAA.
 
Turnpike Tour
Emporia State has played well as of late, winning five of their last six games. The Hornets just won two out of three at home against Rogers State over the weekend.

The Hornets have won six games this year by three runs or less, and have recorded six saves as a pitching staff – the third most of any team in the MIAA.

Washburn has hit an MIAA-leading 43 home runs this season. The Ichabods also lead the league with 202 RBIs and rank second in the league with a .539 slug.

The Ichabods have turned heads early this season, scoring wins over No. 22 Nova Southeastern, No. 17 Augustana and a three-game sweep over No. 12 Missouri Southern.