MARYVILLE, Mo. – Griffon Baseball (12-16, 7-10 MIAA) used a pair of big innings to pull away from Northwest Missouri State (19-9, 9-5 MIAA) for a 16-6 win on Wednesday.

MoWest struck first in the opening inning as Miguel Cantu delivered an RBI single to bring home Micah Kobuszewski for a 1-0 lead. The Griffons added to the advantage in the third when David De Hoyos launched a two-run home run, scoring Jordan Austin to make it 3-0.

Northwest Missouri State answered with two runs in the third to trim the lead to 3-2, but MoWest quickly responded. De Hoyos drove in another run in the fifth before Luke Shannahan broke the game open with a three-run home run later in the inning, extending the lead to 7-2.

The Griffons continued to roll in the sixth as Cantu delivered the biggest swing of the day, a grand slam that pushed the advantage to 11-2.

After the Bearcats scratched across a run in the seventh, MoWest added insurance in the ninth. Cantu drove in another run with a single, Seth Winkler followed with an RBI knock, and Shannahan capped the scoring with his second three-run homer of the game to make it 16-3.

Northwest Missouri State plated three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Griffons closed it out for the 16-6 final.

MoWest totaled 16 runs on a strong offensive showing, highlighted by three home runs and multiple multi-RBI performances.

What's Next
The Griffons then return to Griffon Baseball Field for a three-game set against Newman (4-24, 2-16 MIAA). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, followed by a 3 p.m. game Saturday and a 1 p.m. finale Sunday.