Games 44-47
vs. Pittsburg State 27-15 (17-10 MIAA) – 3 Games
Friday, April 19 – Saturday, April 21 | McCarthy Field | Wichita, KS
 
Senior Day
This weekend, thirteen seniors and one student manager will be celebrated before the series finale against Pittsburg State. The series will be the last home stand of the year.
 
Series Dominance
Newman Baseball has turned a critical corner in their season over the past month, having won four out of the last five series in the MIAA. The Jets secured two of the four series wins at home, while going on to sweep Northwest Missouri State for the first time since joining the conference.

Last Time Out
Competing in their final non-conference game of the season, Newman took on Southwestern Oklahoma State in the final midweek game of the season.

The Bulldogs scored three runs off of Newman mishaps in the first inning, taking a troubling 3-0 lead to open the game. 

However, the Jets have been known to respond well in tough situations, as four runs off of four hits in the bottom of the inning helped Newman take their first lead of the game. The Jets opened up the game with three straight hits, one of which was a Jason Schneider double that scored Hunter Brown. Two home runs would also be scored in the inning, with the MIAA Hitter of the Week Connor Owens adding a two RBI bomb to his tally, while Dalton Smith followed him with a solo shot into left field. 

The wind was certainly a factor at McCarthy during the course of the afternoon, as the Bulldogs took a very strong advantage in the second inning, scoring multiple home runs not only in the inning, but the remainder of the afternoon. 

That did not mean that Newman lacked any scoring. Joe Kinneberg had a third Newman home run in the bottom of the second, giving Newman eight runs in just the first two innings. 

The Jets remained rather quiet until the seventh inning, where Hunter Brown hit a grand slam in one of the most impressive plays of the game. 

In his first start of the season, Matt Hamilton finished with three hits and scored two runs in what was one of his final home games in Navy and Red. 
Box Score

Hitter of the Week
Connor Owens was selected as the Co-MIAA Hitter of the Week on Monday, coming after some great performances against Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri State.  In 18 at-bats, Owens hit .500 while collecting seven RBI and scoring seven himself. The junior's three-run homerun on Sunday helped propel the Jets past the Bearcats to finish off the MIAA series sweep. He also recorded three walks on the week for an astounding 1.480 OPS.
 
MIAA Standings
With the Jets winning six of their last seven games, they have turned the MIAA standings into quite the conundrum, as now there are four teams deadlocked in a tie for eighth place.

Fort Hays State currently owns the tiebreaker with a better overall record in the season, but Newman has beaten all three teams above them on the record tiebreaker. If Newman wins out and the other cannot improve on their conference record, Newman has a shot of not only making the tournament, but possibly finishing as a seven or six seed.

Current Standings

1. Central Missouri (37-5, 24-3)
2. Missouri Southern (33-11, 20-7)
3. Central Oklahoma (32-10, 18-9)
4. Pittsburg State (27-14, 17-10)
5. Washburn (23-17, 17-10)
6. Rogers State (22-18, 12-15)
7. Northeastern State (19-24, 10-17)
8. Fort Hays State (22-20, 9-18)
9. Missouri Western (18-22, 9-18)
10. Northwest Missouri State (17-25, 9-18)
11. Newman (13-30, 9-18)
12. Emporia State (18-25, 8-19)

 
Around the Association
Fans will want to keep an eye on several series this weekend, with the results impacting how the rest of the season might pan out.

Missouri Western will visit #9 Missouri Southern, which could prove to be an elimination from the Griffons if they are swept.

Northeastern State and Northwest Missouri State will face off in Maryville, with both clubs losing their last six games. It will be one of the most crucial series of the weekend, with the loser likely being on the outside looking in.

Another big series to decide the eight seed will be between Fort Hays State and Emporia State. While being in last, the Hornets still have a path to the postseason if they can get a series win over the Tigers.

The Enemy Dugout
Pittsburg State has won 27 games this season, but have shown flashes of inconsistencies despite an impressive year. The Gorillas could go from beating a top team like Central Oklahoma, to losing to Northeastern State the very next week.

In a bit of a surprise, they lost to Emporia State on Tuesday, which probably did not sit well with most Jet fans knowing the Hornets are right on their tail.

The Gorillas are safely in the MIAA Tournament, and have a shot to make it as high as the two seed. After the first round, PSU will be the hosts of the semifinals and championship series in Pittsburg.
 
The Series (All Time)
The series between the instate rivals is a very close one, with the Gorillas leading the all time series 8-7. Newman won two games in Pittsburg last year, in what proved to be two vital wins towards their first MIAA tournament appearance.

The Gorillas swept the Jets the last time they were in Wichita, with those being the only time the Gorillas had won a series in Wichita.

What's Next?
The regular season will conclude next week at Emporia State. If both the Jets and Hornets win their series this weekend, it will be one of the most crucial and anticipated MIAA series of the year.