The Missouri Western baseball team got back on the right track scoring two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning coming away with an 11-9 victory against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos in the series finale. The Griffons improve to 19-4 overall and 14-1 in MIAA play.

The Griffons scored eight runs in the first two innings taking a commanding 8-2 lead after two. In the first the Griffons had four hits scoring four runs and in the second they also had four hits scoring four runs on one UCO error. The Griffons took a 9-4 lead after five innings but the Bronchos scored five unanswered to tie the score a nine after seven and a half innings of play.

In the bottom of the eighth the Griffons got three hits which included the go ahead RBI single by Jimmy Smelcer giving the Griffons the 10-9 lead. Michael Schulze walked with the bases loaded giving MWSU the 11-9 lead heading to the top of the ninth. Logan Hollingsworth shut down UCO in the ninth improving to 4-0 on the season. He went 2.1 innings giving up five hits while striking out four.

The Griffons had 17 hits with Grant Fink going 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Bubba Dotson, Nate Ramler and Smelcer all had three hits in the game.

The Bronchos fall to 16-8 overall and 13-8 in MIAA play. They had 16 hits with Matt Malloy going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a hit. Mikel Beltran falls to 1-1 going 2.2 innings giving up five hits and one earned run.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, March 26 with a doubleheader against Northwest Missouri State. Game time is set for 4:00 pm at the Griffon Baseball Field.

— MWSU Sports Information —