Games 29, 30, 31, 32

vs Missouri Western State University (11-16 (6-10))

3/27 | 6 PM | St. Joseph, MO
Video | Live Stats 

3/28 | 3 PM | St. Joseph, MO
Video | Live Stats 

3/29| 1 PM | St. Joseph, MO
Video | Live Stats  

vs Missouri Southern State University (16-10 (11-5))

3/31 | 3 PM | McCarthy Field 
Video | Live Stats | Audio

Last Time Out 
The Jets hosted ranked Rogers State for a weekend series. The Hillcats took the weekend series (17-7, 19-8, 16-0).

In game one, both teams were scoreless in the first before the Hillcats broke through in the second with an RBI single followed by a grand slam to take a 5-0 lead. The Jets responded in the bottom half, with Zac Becker delivering a two-RBI single with the bases loaded to cut the deficit to 5-2. After a scoreless third, Rogers State plated six runs in the fourth to extend its lead to 11-2, then added two more in the fifth to make it 13-2. Newman answered with runs in the fifth and sixth on RBI singles from Nicolas Ely and Louis Coca, trimming the score to 13-4. In the seventh, Kaynan Kaku drove in a run and a Hillcat error allowed two more to score, bringing Newman within 13-7. However, RSU responded with four runs in the eighth to push the lead to 17-7. The Jets were unable to rally, falling 17-7 in eight innings.

In game two Rogers State broke the game open in the third, scoring seven runs on six hits and an error to take a 7-0 lead. The Hillcats added another run in the fourth before Newman responded, as Thomas Munn launched a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 8-2. The Jets rallied in the fifth, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Carter Andreozzi, followed by run-scoring hits from Collin Morris and Munn to pull within one at 8-7. However, RSU answered in the sixth with a solo home run and grand slam as part of a 10-run inning, extending the lead to 17-7. The Hillcats added two more in the seventh, and Newman plated one in the bottom half, but the Jets fell 19-8 in seven innings. 

In the final game of the series, Rogers State took control in the second, scoring six runs aided by four Newman errors to build a 6-0 lead. Riley Kujawa recorded a double for the Jets, but they were unable to break through. The Hillcats added two more runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to extend the lead to 9-0, while Newman stranded a pair of base runners. RSU continued to pull away in the sixth with four runs, then added three more in the seventh. Newman collected a few late hits, but the Hillcats secured the series finale with a 16-0 win in seven innings.

Scouting the Jets 
Kaynan Kaku continues to lead the Jets with a batting average of .379 with 36 hits. He leads the teams in runs (22), RBIs (19), and extra base hits (10). Anthony Cannavino is another strong offensive player for the Jets with a batting average of .292. Justin Birch leads the team in home runs this season with three. Frank Fabian leads the pitching staff with 39.0 innings pitched with a record of 2-3. Alex Gillig leads the team in strikeouts with 23 through 33.1 innings of work.

Behind Enemy Lines
Ben Waliczek leads the Griffons with a batting average of .357. Miguel Cantu is another strong offensive player with a batting average of .340. Cantu has recorded 17 extra base hits including five home runs and ten doubles. Micah Kobuszewski has a batting average of .327 with 33 hits and 20 runs. Luke Shannahan has recorded an impressive seven home runs. On the mound, Cole Evans leads the team with a record of 5-1. Evans has pitched 51.0 innings and recorded 41 strikeouts. Ben Ayala has pitched 30.2 innings tallying 23 strikeouts. 

Missouri Southern is led by Brayden Luikart who has a batting average of .406. He leads the team in hits with 41, runs with 25, and extra base hits with 21. Blake Jones has a batting average of .346 while also recording five home runs. Cy Darnell adds to the team with a batting average of .330. Will Doherty leads the Lions in RBIs with 29. Owen Schneider has pitched 47.2 innings and thrown 41 strikeouts. He holds a record of 5-0. Michael Mulhollon leads the pitching staff in strikeouts with 42 through 30.2 innings of work. Walker Sweet has a record of 2-3 through 31.0 innings pitched. 

The Series 
-The Jets hold a 9-7 record against Missouri Western. Newman recorded the series win between the teams March of 2025. 

-Newman and Missouri Southern have met 19 times with the Lions recording 16 wins against the Jets. 

Next Up
The Jets will host Emporia State University in a weekend series starting on Thursday, April 2nd at 3 PM.