The No. 15 Missouri Western softball team (36-7, 18-2) exploded for 21 runs and swept a doubleheader from Lincoln (12-31, 3-11) in two run rule shortened games. Seniors Blair Stalder and Leah Steele were honored after game two as part of senior day festivities. The 1982 NAIA National Championship team was also recognized in between games.
Game 1: MWSU 10, LU 1 (5 innings)
The Griffons scored in every inning and Jackie Bishop just missed a no-hitter as Western took game one in five innings 10-1. Bishop held the Blue Tigers hitless through 3 1/3 before Brianna Akers doubled off the top of the left field wall to break up the no-no attempt.
After Brea Fleschner led off the game with a line out to center, Kendall Sorensen and Blair Stalder provided consecutive doubles to go up 1-0. Stalder came across to make it 2-0 after an error allowed Taylor Anding to reach.
Keri Lorbert led off the Griffon third with a single to left center. Erin Widrig pinch ran for Lorbert, advanced to second on a Maegan Roemmich single, stole third, then scored on a wild pitch. Western went on to add five more in the inning, and tacked on another in the fourth.
The game was called after Bishop retired Lincoln in order in the fifth, with the Griffons leading by more than eight. The one-hit win moved Bishop’s record to 20-2 on the year. Bishop allowed just one run, no walks and struck out eight. Fleschner was 1-4 with two RBI and a solo home run in the second. Stalder was 2-3 with two RBI and Sarah Elliott drove in two and went 1-2 at the plate.
Game 2: MWSU 11, LU 3 (5 innings)
The Griffons used a seven-run fourth inning to break the game open on the way to their second run rule game of the day. Annalee Rubio struck out four and allowed three runs on three hits, improving her record to 13-5 on the year.
Up 4-2 entering the bottom of the fourth inning, Michelle Stevenson led off by lining out to second base. Brea Fleschner then laid down a bunt single and scored on a throwing error after Kim Robinson singled to right. Blair Stalder doubled down the left field line, scoring Robinson from second to put Western up 6-2. Keri Lorbert followed with a single to center that brought Stalder across the plate. After Lorbert was called out at second on a fielder’s choice by Maegan Roemmich, Taylor Anding’s double brought Roemmich in. Leah Steele cleared the bases with a two-out, two-run homer to left center. Stevenson stepped to the plate after Tiffany Gillaspy’s single with a chance to represent the first and third outs of the inning, instead Stevenson singled to center and scored Gillaspy for the final run of the inning.
Anding was 2-3 with a run scored and three RBI, and Stalder was 2-3 with two runs scored and one driven in. Western is scheduled to wrap up the home portion of its schedule Sunday when Lindenwood University visits the Griffon Spring Sports Complex. The doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday.
— MWSU Sports Information —