ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – No. 22-ranked Central Oklahoma split a Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association doubleheader with Missouri Western here Friday as the Bronchos salvaged the second game, 3-2, after falling in the first game, 6-3.
UCO banged out 11 hits in the first game, but could only manage to scratch three runs across the plate as the Griffons scored all six runs in the decisive third inning.
MWSU did most of the damage with two outs as Matt Russell hit a two-run double and Cody Childs followed two batters later with a two-run single.
Joe Hollowell started on the hill for the Bronchos and suffered the loss as he gave up all six runs and fell to 1-2 on the season.
Matt Johnson went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, while Phillip Wilson, Josh Ingram and Tyler Crabtree all collected two hits.
UCO had to fend off a Griffon rally in order to salvage the second game of the doubleheader. The Bronchos jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind Johnson's seventh home run and the strong pitching of Ricky Reeves.
Reeves improved to 5-0 on the season as he allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Wilson took over to get the final five outs to pick up his fourth save of the season, but it was not easy as the Griffons loaded the bases with outs in the bottom of the seventh. Jeremy Monty flew out to end the game and preserve the victory for the Bronchos.
With the split UCO ran its record to 17-5 and 13-5 in the MIAA, while MWSU went to 10-12 and 7-9 in the conference.
The two teams meet for a nine inning game at 1 p.m. Saturday, before concluding the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
