EMPORIA, Kan. – The Missouri Western baseball team stayed hot Tuesday, clinching the season series with Emporia State with an 8-1 win over the No. 10 Hornets.

Missouri Western (20-8, 12-5) won its sixth straight and 14th in the last 16 with 11 hits and solid pitching. Weston Caindec picked up the win, going six innings and holding Emporia State (21-7, 13-4) to one run in six innings of work. The Griffons jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three before Caindec allowed his first run in the fourth. His offense picked him up with two more in the sixth.

Western held a 7-1 lead when Conner Schwienebart entered in the bottom of the seventh. He limited the Hornets to one hit in two innings of relief. Preston Bailey was perfect in the ninth, retiring the side in order with one strikeout.

Jeremy Alvarado went 2-4 at the plate with two RBIs, a home run and two runs scored. Ozzie Rodriguez was 2-3 with a pair of RBIs, two runs scored and a home run. David Glaude and Landon Mason also had two-hit game for Missouri Western.

The win moved the Griffons into sole possession of third place in the MIAA standings and gave Missouri Western two wins already over second place Emporia State. The two teams will complete the three-game series of Tuesday games on Apr. 6 in St. Joseph. Before that, Missouri Western hosts Lindenwood (11-13, 5-11) for three games this weekend beginning on Friday.

— MWSU Athletics —