Missouri Western dominated day one of its four-game series against Fort Hays State. The Griffons won the first game 12-3 before taking game two 9-1.
Game 1: MWSU 12, FHSU 3
In the bottom of the first, the Griffons jumped on the board big. After Hays stranded a couple, the Griffons scored four runs in the opening inning to go ahead 4-0.
Trevor LaHonta’s single up the middle started things out for Missouri Western. Dylon Koch’s bunt safely secured LaHonta to second base as Koch moved to first on the single. Ryan Degner then singled to left field to score LaHonta and move Koch to third base.
After that, David Chew singled and Jake Schrader walked. Hunter Weiss then singled on a bunt, the Griffons’ second of the inning. Will Carter then scored Weiss and Chew but was thrown out on a double play.
The runs didn’t stop there. Missouri Western added another two runs in the second inning before scoring four more in the third.
Another single bunt this time by Mitch Thorman, moved Carter into scoring position. He would score on LaHonta’s single to right field. Koch hit a sac fly later on I nthe inning, and Degner’s single scored another run. LaHonta eventually scored on an error by the catcher to put the Griffons on top 10-0 after just three.
The Tigers scored their first run in the top of the fourth followed by two runs by each team in the fifth inning to provide the final score.
Grant Woods picked up the win and improved to 5-2 on the season. The Griffons got 20 hits on the day, including multiple hits by LaHonta, Koch, Degner, Chew, Carter, Thorman and Cody Childs – who led the team going 4-for-4. Degner had a game-high 4 RBI.
The Tigers were led by Kevin Czarnecki, who was 2 of 3 with an RBI.
Game Two: MWSU 9, FHSU 1
After taking a 1-0 lead through two and a half innings, Missouri Western had three unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4-0 advantage.
An error by the Tigers’ first baseman score LaHonta and Childs. Schrader’s ground out to the shortstop scored Degner on the next play, giving the Griffons a 4-0 lead.
Missouri Western added another three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as well.
A couple steals put the Griffons in scoring position, followed by Koch’s reach on an error which scored LaHonta and Childs.
Two more Griffons runs were added in the sixth inning as they went ahead 9-0. Needing one more run to end the game on a mercy rule, the Griffons didn’t get it. Instead, Hays added a home run in the top of the ninth inning.
Missouri Western had seven stolen bases in the game. Degner’s triple along with doubles by LaHonta and Childs added extra-base hits for the Griffons.
Koch finished the game with three RBI. Chew and Schrader also had two RBI for the Griffons. LaHonta, Degner and Childs all had two hits for the Griffons.
Josh Lansangan picked up the victory with seven innings pitched. He is now 3-2 on the season. Austin Unrein got the loss for the Tigers. He is now 3-3.
The two teams play Saturday at 1 p.m. with two games scheduled – a seven-inning game followed by one nine-inning game.
— MWSU Sports Information —