JOPLIN, Mo. – The Missouri Western baseball team lost the opening gaeme of their three-game series at Missouri Southern Friday 6-5 in 12 innings.

The Griffons fall to 11-9 this season and 8-2 in the MIAA.

NOTABLES
Missouri Southern scored the game winner in the bottom of the 12th inning on an error after tying the game with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning

– Falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, the Griffons scored the game’s next three runs to take a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning

– Missouri Western slugged two home runs, the third consecutive game of multiple home runs

– MWSU forced MSSU to strand two runners on base in both the eighth and ninth innings

– The Lions hit into four double plays on the afternoon

TOP PERFORMERS
– Ryan Smith went 3-for-6 at the plate with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored

– Richard Peoples threw 7 1/3 innings as he gave up three runs on just five hits, it was his fifth start of the season with seven or more innings pitched.

– Alex Heuring was 2-for-4 from the plate, with two RBIs and a home run

UP NEXT
Missouri Western looks to even the series Saturday at 1 p.m. in Joplin.

— MWSU Athletics —