ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western State University clinched the series victory over the No. 29 Northwest Missouri State University baseball team Wednesday in a 7-3 matchup. 
 
Missouri Western improved its record to 19-17 and 14-11 in the MIAA while Northwest drops its record to 26-10 and 16-6 in the conference. This loss marks the first series loss for the Bearcats all season.
 
Northwest managed 11 hits and one home run, but Missouri Western State University's four-run eighth inning secured its victory.
 
Northwest opened the scoring in the first inning with Frank Gall singling to right field and later scoring on Wilmer Jimenez's single to shortstop. The inning ended with a 1-0 lead for the Bearcats.
 
In the bottom of the second, Missouri Western responded with a two-run homer by Luke Shannahan, bringing in David De Hoyos and giving MoWest a 2–1 lead.
 
Gall tied the game in the third inning with a solo home run to left field. The score was even at 2–2 by the end of the third.
 
The sixth inning saw both teams adding to their totals. Chester Brooks scored for Northwest on Leonardo May's single to center field, but the Griffons quickly answered back with a bases-loaded walk to bring home a run. The score remained tied at 3–3.
 
The Griffons took control in the eighth inning. Micah Kobuszewski tripled to right field, driving in two runs, followed by an RBI single from Jordan Austin. Another run scored on David De Hoyos's single, extending MoWest's lead to 7–3.
 
The game concluded with Missouri Western securing a 7–3 victory over Northwest.
 
Micah Diamond pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, including one home run, while striking out two without issuing a walk. Jeremy Evangelista provided 2 innings of relief, giving up one run on one hit and striking out two, with one walk. Jayme Fritts faced control challenges, issuing two walks in 2/3 of an inning but managed to record one strikeout. Tyson Hilsabeck and Diego De Santiago each struggled, with Hilsabeck yielding three earned runs on four hits in 1 inning and De Santiago allowing one earned run on two hits in 2/3 of an inning.
 
Frank Gall led the team with two hits, including a home run, and scored twice in the game. Leonardo May contributed with two hits and drove in one run. Jordi Ventura also added two hits to the team's tally. 
 
Next Up:
The Bearcats will continue their road games this week by traveling to Claremore, Okla., to face Rogers State University in a three-game series from April 9-11. The first game on April 9 is set to begin at 3 p.m.