ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western (19-22, 16-16 MIAA) fell victim to an impressive pitching performance on Saturday night, as Central Missouri (34-12, 24-8 MIAA) took the second game of the three-game series with a 3-1 win. Despite limited success at the plate, the Griffons still managed to put the tying run on base, but were not able to come from behind for the win and clinch a spot in the MIAA Championships.

The Griffons had a very productive night on the mound as well. Jacob Purl got the start on Senior Night, allowing three runs on six hits in over four innings. Fellow senior Anthony Castaneda relieved Purl in the fifth inning and would finish the game for Missouri Western. Castaneda allowed just one hit and totaled six strikeouts in relief.

NOTABLES

• Purl helped the Griffons to a much better start than the team had on Friday, allowing just one hit through the first three innings.
• In the fifth inning, UCM’s double to the left-field warning track scored two runs to extend the lead to 3-0.
• After back-to-back walks in the bottom of the eighth, Wyatt Meyer reached on an infield fielding error to load the bases with just one out.
• With two outs and bases loaded in the eighth, Andrew Curry scored the Griffons’ first run on a wild pitch.
• The Mules would then get the final out of the eighth inning with limited damage, allowing just one run.
• Central Missouri faced the tying run at the plate twice in the ninth inning, but held on for the 3-1 road victory.
• Conrad McMahon gave Missouri Western its lone hit on Saturday, a single in the bottom of the first inning.
• In 4.2 innings on the mound, Castaneda retired 14 of the 15 batters he faced and did not walk a single batter.

UP NEXT

• The Griffons square off against the Mules in the regular season finale on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —