The Missouri Western baseball team saved its best for last in a doubleheader sweep over Washburn, scoring game winning runs in the bottom of the sixth in game one and the bottom of the ninth in game two. The Griffons improved to 17-9 overall and 10-6 in MIAA play; leap frogging the Ichabods (13-10, 9-7) in the conference standings.
Game 1: MWSU 3, WU 2 (7 innings)
Grant Fink drilled a one-out triple to left center field, then scored what proved to be the winning run when Spencer Shockley reached on an error by Washburn second baseman John Calhoun.
Leading 1-0, Nik Jurado surrendered a two-run home run to Connor Crimmins in third. The Griffons knotted it up at two in the bottom of the third on an RBI single to center from Fink. Jurado (4-0) held the Ichabods scoreless for the next three innings before Jake Jones entered in the seventh to pick up his third save of the season.
Fink was 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored, Michael Schulze was 1-3 with a run scored. Shockely (1-3) and David Chew (1-3) drove in the other two Griffon runs.
Washburn left five runners stranded and the Griffons left four of their own. Jurado allowed six hits and two runs, while striking out seven in six innings of work. Brett Ash went six complete for Washburn, allowing six hits and three runs, while striking out five.
Game 2: MWSU 3, WU 2
Same score, almost same story for in game two. Western rallied, down 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth, winning on Jimmy Smelcer’s walk of double to deep center.
Nate Ramler sent a two RBI double down the left field line that tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. Then it was up to Smelcer, who drove the game winning hit over Tyler Bailey’s glove in center field, scoring Shawn Egge from second. Ramler’s double spoiled a great pitching performance from Kerry Schachenmeyer who held the Griffons to just two hits through the first eight innings.
Grant Fink walked with one out in the bottom of the ninth before Spencer Shockely shot a single through the left side that advanced Fink to second. Jake Graham entered to pinch run for Shockely and made it around the bases on Ramler’s double. Buzz Verduzco sent Egge in to run for Ramler, but Egge’s speed wasn’t needed to score the winning run with Smelcer’s drive rolling to the base of the fence in deep center.
The Ichabods got to Ethan Ward early, who lasted two and a third. The Griffon bullpen was solid, and the Ichabods left 16 runners on base. Chris Allen went the final two and two thirds for the Griffons, picking up his first win of the year.
Smelcer was 2-4 with the winning RBI and Ramler was 1-4 with two RBI.
The Griffons wrap up their 17 game home stand tomorrow when they host Washburn for another doubleheader beginnin at noon.
— MWSU Sports Information —