MARYVILLE, Mo. – Griffon Baseball (22-21, 15-15 MIAA) rallied late but couldn't complete the comeback in a 12-11 loss at No. 28 Northwest Missouri State (31-13, 21-9 MIAA) on Tuesday.

MoWest struck early in the first inning as Jordan Austin tripled to right-center to bring home Micah Kobuszewski. Miguel Cantu followed with a two-run home run to give the Griffons a 3-0 lead.

Northwest answered in the third, plating three runs to even the game, but the Griffons responded with a big fourth inning. Luke Parmentier delivered an RBI double, Ben Waliczek added an RBI on a fielder's choice, and Kobuszewski swiped second before Waliczek stole home. Austin capped the inning with another RBI single as MoWest built a 7-3 advantage.

The Bearcats chipped away with runs in the fourth and fifth before taking control in the sixth inning. Northwest erupted for seven runs in the frame, highlighted by multiple RBI hits and capitalizing on several unearned opportunities to jump ahead 12-7.

MoWest refused to go away, beginning its comeback in the eighth as Austin drove in a run. The Griffons continued the push in the ninth with back-to-back solo home runs from Seth Winkler and Parmentier to cut the deficit to 12-10. Kobuszewski later added an RBI single to make it a one-run game, but the rally fell just short.

Austin led the offense with multiple hits and RBIs, while Cantu, Winkler, and Parmentier each homered. Kobuszewski also contributed with a multi-hit performance and an RBI.

With a loss by Northeastern State, the Griffons have officially clinched a spot in the MIAA Tournament, marking the program's first postseason appearance since 2019. The MIAA Tournament is scheduled for May 6–10 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

What's Next
Griffon Baseball heads to Arkansas-Fort Smith for a three-game series beginning Friday, April 24 at 1 p.m., with 1 p.m. starts scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday.

Any weather-related updates will be announced as they become available.