ST. JOSEPH – The 23rd-ranked Missouri Western baseball team dropped the final game of their season series with Northwest Missouri State Tuesday.  The Griffons lost 6-0 as they were no-hit by Northwest’s Nikko Pablo.

MWSU had two base runners on in the first, but didn’t get another one until the eighth as Pablo – the reigning Co-MIAA Pitcher of the Week – retired 21 straight Griffon batters over that stretch. The game was originally scheduled to be played in Maryville on Wednesday, but was then moved to Tuesday at Northwest Missouri State. Poor field conditions in Maryville Tuesday forced the game to be moved to St. Joseph. The game was delayed for around 45 minutes in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Missouri Western was only able to get on base through a Northwest Missouri State error and a walk by Pablo in the first inning. The only other batter to reach base was in the eighth when Pablo hit Kody Matthews with two outs.

On the mound for the Griffons, Tyler Tuepker went the first three innings, giving up seven hits and three runs. David Anderson faced two batters and allowed one run. Preston Bailey pitched two innings, giving up three hits and two runs. Conner Schwienenbart pitched two and a third of perfect baseball with two strikeouts, but did not re-enter after the rain delay.

The loss dropped Missouri Western to 31-13 overall and 23-10 in the MIAA. The Griffons won the season series with the Bearcats, two games to one. Missouri Western has not lost a season series since dropping two of three to Lindenwood April 1-3. Next up is Central Missouri in Warrensburg. The games are scheduled for Friday-Sunday, but could change due to weather.

— MWSU Athletics —