BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Missouri Western baseball team held off a ninth inning rally by Southwest Baptist to win a wild one, 16-15, Thursday in Bolivar.

The Griffons led 16-12 after the top of the ninth but allowed three Southwest Baptist runs before recording the final out. Southwest Baptist ended the game at third base when a runner tried stretching a double into a triple. Southwest Baptist seemed to have an answer for every Missouri Western flurry of runs. The Griffons opened with three runs in the first that SBU answered. The Griffons added four in the top of the fourth to go up 8-3, but SBU added a pair in the bottom of the fourth. Missouri Western was up 13-5 heading to the bottom of the sixth when SBU score four. Southwest Baptist added three more in the seventh and the three in the bottom of the ninth. Each team had 17 hits.

The run-fest made for some impressive individual hitting performances. Cosimo Cannella went 4-6 at the plate with five RBIs and two runs scored. Landon Mason also had four hits, going 4-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Orencio Fisher was 3-5 at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored. Cannella, Jeremy Alvarado and Kody Matthews all homered in the game.

The win improved Missouri Western to 6-5 on the year and 2-2 in MIAA play. The two teams continue the series with a game on Saturday and the finale on Sunday.

— MWSU Athletics —