Maryville was “Splitsville” for Missouri Western baseball Friday.  The Griffons split a doubleheader with rival Northwest, winning game one 2-1 and falling 9-1 in game two.

The Griffons, (20-10, 13-7 MIAA) and Bearcats (10-21, 9-13 MIAA) conclude the series with two more games Saturday in Maryville.  First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. and you can listen live to game one on ESPN 1550 and at www.espnstjoseph.com.

Game 1

Western 2, Northwest 1

Brandon Simmons scattered seven hits and picked up his seventh win of the season in another complete game gem, as the Griffons defeated the Bearcats 2-1.

The Griffons got on the board right away in the top of the first, with a Spencer Shockley RBI groundout.  Northwest answered with a run in the bottom-half of the inning, scoring after an error by 3rd baseman Grant Fink.

Western answered immediately in the top of the 2nd, with what proved to be the winning run, when Jimmy Smelcer scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Sean Egge.

Smelcer went 2-3 in the game.  Simmons pitched his way out of multiple jams during the game including the 3rd inning, when Northwest had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out.  Simmons then struck out Northwest DH Eric McGlauflin, and picked off Cameron Bedard at 1st base to get out of the inning.

Simmons struck out six in route to the complete game victory.  His record now stands at 7-2.

Game 2

Northwest 9, Western 1

Two big Bearcat innings sunk the Griffons in game two Friday.  Northwest used a four-run second inning and a five-run seventh inning to avoid the doubleheader sweep and pull a 9-1 win.

Ethan Ward (4-2) took the loss for Western.  Ward lasted just two innings, giving up 4 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks.

Northwest attacked relief pitcher Logan Hollingsworth in the 7th.  Hollingsworth was credited with the remaining five Bearcat runs in the inning.

Western scored its lone run in the second inning on an Andrew Pieper infield hit that scored Spencer Shockley.  Pieper was 3-3 in the game.

— MWSU Sports Information —