Western takes first two games of four game series against Truman

Missouri Western’s offense powered them to wins in the first two games of a four game series against Truman State at Phil Welch Stadium.

The Griffons took the first game of the series Friday. The final score was 19-6 in seven innings. The game was called because of a run rule.

Western pounded out thirteen hits in the win. 2B Willie Forrest and 1B Blake Bussman each got three hits apiece. Bussman helped the Griffons put the game away in the fifth inning. Bussman hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, helping the Griffons score six runs in the inning. It was his first home run of the year.

Junior A.J Huttenlocker got the win to run his season record to 3-2. Blake Thomas came on in relief to pitch the final two innings.

The Griffons won the second game of the series 9-7 Saturday afternoon. They scored the first three runs of the game, getting a solo homerun from Forrest in the first inning. They added  two more runs in the bottom of the second inning.

Truman scored two runs in the third inning, making it a 3-2 game. The Griffons pulled away until the end of the game.

Truman loaded the bases with one out and the score 9-6. They could only manage one run as the Griffons held on for the win.

Western pounded out ten hits, getting two solo home runs from Forrest. DH Tommy Bone and OF Brian Munson each had two hits apiece.

Junior Everett Saul went 5.1 innings to get his first win of the year. He gave up four runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Kyle Grup got Western out of its ninth inning jam to pick up his first save on the season.

The Griffons improved to 11-9, 4-2 in conference, after the first two games of the series. Truman fell to 4-16.