NCMC baseball went on the road Tuesday and earned a closely contested split with Missouri Western State University.  The Griffons got a 1-0 win in a pitcher's duel to open the day.  The Pirates bested Missouri Western 3-1 in the nightcap to improve their fall scrimmage record to 7-8-1.  The games marked the final schedule scrimmages for NCMC outside of their annual alumni game on Saturday, Oct. 15^th.  First pitch for that event is set for 1:00pm with alumni check in at 11:30am.

An unearned run for Missouri Western in the first inning of the opener proved to be enough scoring to take victory.  Griffon pitching held the Pirates offense to just 3 hits in the 1-0 loss.  Tanner Schmidt took the loss and allowed that unearned run while pitching the opening two frames for NCMC.  From there, relievers Evan Johnston and Kevin Toala each twirled a pair of scoreless innings.  Collecting hits for NCMC in defeat were Layne Rutherford (1-3), Bailey Quint (1-3) and Hagen McGarrah (1-3). 

Game 2 saw NCMC grab the early lead by plating a run in the 2^nd inning on Quentin Umbaugh's fielder's choice.  MWSU tied the game at one in the 3^rd when they capitalized on a hit by pitch and a walk handed out by reliever Layne Rutherford to start the inning.  From there, the Pirates pitching and defense would allow nothing further and the Pirates were able to add single runs in the 5^th and 6^th to secure the victory.  Sophomore Josh Hughes had a nice game at the plate going 2-2 with a run scored.  Bailey Quint (2 IP, 0 hits, 1 strikeout) got the win and Jesus Fonseca (1 IP, 0 hits) earned the save.