Throughout the season, Missouri Western hasn’t feared trailing a game, because the Griffons know at any time they could recover.
Saturday was no exception.
Thanks to a huge fifth inning in game one, and a huge sixth inning in game two, the Griffons defeated Lindenwood in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Griffons Spring Sports Complex, winning 6-4 and 5-3 respectively.
The Griffons (29-5, 23-2), known for their power hitting, were able to overcome slow starts in both games and notched two close wins against conference newcomer Lindenwood (16-21, 14-15).
In the first game, a 6-hit fourth inning — highlighted by right-fielder Nate Ramler’s two-run homer that cleared over 450 feet, bouncing off the nearby softball field’s light poll onto the field – helped the Griffons score five runs after trailing 3-1. A slow start wasn’t much.
“(This) was good for the club,” Western coach Buzz Verduzco said. “Probably over the next two weeks there is going to be a lot of dog fights. And one thing we do know and we’re continuing to remember is that we’re never out of any game. We still think our offense is good enough to where we can go through the lineup and still be a threat to be able to score.”
Hitting wasn’t the only problem early for the Griffons.
Brandon Simmons, the Griffons No. 1 pitcher, stayed focused after he appeared to struggle early in the contest.
Simmons, who improved to 8-0, earned his 32nd win of his career. With the victory, the senior is now tied for most wins in the conference, and could pick up the career record against Central Missouri next Saturday. The Mules are currently the No. 2 team in the conference.
In order to pick up the win Simmons had to overcome a 3-0 start after three innings. Lindenwood strung together six hits to take the command, but in the bottom of the third, center fielder Shawn Egge popped a double to center field.
Leadoff hitter Michael Schulze sent a single over second base, but a close call at kept Western at bay after Egge was thrown out from center field. The next inning, the Griffons didn’t make it close.
After catcher Jake Schrader walked, Egge singled up the middle and Schulze hit a sac bun to move but runners into scoring position.
Bubba Dotson sent a triple to right center on the next bat, scoring three runs to take a slim, 4-3 lead. Ramler sent a homer flying over the fence into the next field where the Griffons’ softball team was playing a conference game against Truman State. Luckily the ball hit the light poll on its way down to nullify a disruption what would have been.
The one-out bomb put the Griffons ahead 6-3, and Simmons finished the next two innings before Logan Hollingsworth picked up the save in the seventh inning. Ramler finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
“That hit, against the wind, that was probably one of the hardest ones I’ve seen here (at the spring sports complex),” Verduzco said. “For Simmons, that wasn’t his best outing either. And that just goes to show you what he can do for the team when he’s really not at his best. How much he’ll fight, he’ll battle, he’ll keep himself in the zone, he’ll keep himself out of big innings. That’s a mark of a good pitcher.”
GAME 2
Western 5, Lindenwood 3
The Griffons complemented their game one comeback with a second offering in game two.
After falling behind 3-2, the Griffons score four runs in the bottom of the sixth to secure the second win of the day. Jake Schrader, who coming into Saturday was hitting .256, good for ninth on the team’s No. 1 ranked average, popped a ball over centerfielder Wade Rothermich’s head to bring in two runs and the quick 4-3 lead.
Two plays later, Schulze singled and score Schrader. And without Simmons in game two, Western used a trio of pitchers in Ethan Ward, Jerad Hawkins and Hollingsworth to close out the game with a 5-3 victory.
Left-fielder Kyle Simpson finished the game 3-for-4 with one RBI. In the doubleheader, the Griffons put together 20 hits with 11 RBIs. The Lions had 19 hits with nine RBIs.
The Griffons finish the series against Lindenwood today with the first pitch set for noon, but may be moved up with rain forecasted in the area.
— MWSU Sports Information —