Joplin, Mo. - On Friday, the Missouri Southern baseball team hosted a Throwback Game, playing at Joe Becker Stadium where the team played prior to the building of Warren Turner Field in 2015. The visiting team for this series is the Missouri Western Griffons, entering the weekend tied for 8th in the MIAA standings. Southern took the opening game of the series behind a complete game shutout from
Cole Gayman and timely offense. With the win, MSSU improves to 34-11 (21-7 MIAA).
After a three up, three down start on defense,
Drew Townsend led off Missouri Southern's first opportunity with a double to left. Despite the hot start, MSSU wouldn't score until the next inning.
Garrett Rice started the second frame with a single to center, advancing to second after a bad throw on a pickoff attempt.
Nate Mieszkowski then broke the 0-0 tie with an RBI single to center, and
Drew Townsend later drove in another to make it 2-0 Lions in the second.
The Griffons led off the third with a hit, but a 3-6-3 double play cleared the bases. In the fifth inning,
Will Doherty made it a 3-0 ballgame, launching one over the left field fence.
Henry Kusiak added another rin in the sixth, doubling down the left field line to score
Drew Townsend. Southern's final run of the game came in the eighth inning. After leading off with a walk then stealing second,
Chayton Beck came around to score on a
Will Doherty RBI single to center.
Cole Gayman retired the last two batters via strikeout, ending the contest 5-0 in favor of the Lions.
Cole Gayman threw all 9.0 for a complete game shutout. He struck out 5 batters, giving up just 3 hits and 2 walks.
Will Doherty drove in 2 of the team's runs, going 2-5 at the plate with a home run.
Drew Townsend was 3-5 with a double, driving in a run and scoring another himself.
The teams will be back in action for game two of the series on Saturday, playing back at Warren Turner Field on the campus of Missouri Southern. Prior to the start of that contest, the team will recognize their 2024 seniors, beginning at 12:40pm. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm.
