The 19th ranked Missouri Western softball team improved to 14-3 on the season with two victories on the final day of the Arkansas-Monticello 5-State Classic. Western won game on of the day hanging on for a 7-6 extra inning victory. In game two Western used a strong pitching performance from Bishop earning a 3-1 victory over Arkansas-Monticello.

In game one the Griffons jumped out to a 6-1 lead before Illinois-Springfield raillied back to tying the score at six after five innings of play. Western was able to get a run in the eighth inning while Annelee Rubio struckout two of the final three batters earning the victory in releif.

Rubio went 3.2 inning giving up just one hit while striking out five. Emily Moe went 4.1 innings striking out six. Rubio improved to 4-3 with the victory.

Offensively Western had 12 hits with Kandall Sorensen going 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Sarah Elliot and Keri Lorbert each had two hits for Western.

In game two Jackie Bishop allowed six hits while striking out eight and giving up just one run in the 3-1 victory. Bishop improves to 8-0 on the season and this marked the first game this season where she had less than 10 strikeouts.

Western scored two runs in the second inning off three hits. Leah Steele doubled in Taylor Anding and pinch runner Erin Widrig. The Griffon scored their third run in the fourth off a Kat Steponovich single which scored Meagan Roemmich.

Kim Robinson had two of the Griffons seven hits as they left three runners on base.

Kayla Jackson picked up the loss for UAM going six innings giving up seven hits while striking out three. She gave up two earned runs.

Western will play their first home games of the season on Tuesday, March 6 when they host Quincy University in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 pm from the Griffon Softball Field at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Sports Information —