FORT SMITH, Ark. – Griffon Baseball (24-22, 17-16 MIAA) wrapped up its weekend series at Arkansas-Fort Smith (6-39, 5-31 MIAA) by completing Game 2 and rolling into Game 3 on Sunday, April 26. MoWest fell 12-11 in the completion of Game 2 before bouncing back with a 16-4 win in the series finale.
UAFS 12, MoWest 11 (10 inn.)
The Lions jumped out early, scoring four runs in the first inning and adding another in the fourth to build a 5-1 lead. Arkansas-Fort Smith extended its advantage to 9-3 through six innings, putting the Griffons in a deep hole.
MoWest responded in a big way in the top of the seventh, erupting for seven runs to flip the game and take a 10-9 lead. The inning was highlighted by a three-run home run from
Miguel Cantu, along with key RBI contributions from
Seth Winkler,
David De Hoyos and
Ricky Requejo to complete the comeback.
Shortly after the seventh-inning rally, the game was suspended due to weather with the Griffons holding the 10-9 advantage. Play resumed the following day prior to game three.
Arkansas-Fort Smith answered in the eighth with two runs to regain the lead at 11-10. Missouri Western tied the game in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from
Luke Shannahan, but the Lions responded in the 10th with a walk-off RBI single to secure the 12-11 win.
MoWest 16, UAFS 4
In Game 3, MoWest wasted no time getting on the board, scoring twice in the first inning on a wild pitch and a solo home run from
Seth Winkler. The Griffons continued to apply pressure early, adding runs in the second and a three-run third inning to build a 6-0 lead.
The offense broke the game open in the fifth, erupting for five runs behind multiple extra-base hits.
Carson Shear drove in two with a double, while
Jordan Austin,
Miguel Cantu and Winkler each added RBIs as MoWest extended the lead to 13-4.
David De Hoyos added a solo home run in the sixth, and the Griffons tacked on additional insurance late to put the game out of reach to take the series finale by a final score of 16-4.
On the mound,
Evan Peterson earned the win in relief, tossing 3.1 innings and allowing just one hit while striking out four and not allowing a run.
Sebastian Gutierrez made the start, working 3.2 innings with five strikeouts.
What's Next
The Griffons return home to wrap up the regular season with a three-game MIAA series against Rogers State. The set begins Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. first pitch Friday, and concludes Saturday at 1 p.m. at Griffon Baseball Field.
