The 17th ranked Griffons split a non-conference double header with future MIAA opponent the 3rd ranked Bronchos of Central Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon. Western took game one 3-2 before falling 5-0 in game two. The Griffons end the regular season with a 38-9 overall record and will be the 2nd seed in next weekend’s MIAA Tournament.
Game 1: MWSU 3, UCO 2
The Griffons softball team got a much needed victory in game one against the 3rd ranked Bronchos. Jackie Bishop let up just six hits to the powerful Broncho lineup stranding nine runners in the complete game. She improves to 22-2 on the year as she struck out just two batters.
The Bronchos took the early lead in the second inning when Devyn Frazier singled to left scoring Brittany Weaver giving UCO the 1-0 lead.
Westerm left eight runners on base which included five in the first four innings of play. In the fifth Western got the bases loaded with no one out but were unable to capitalize as a soft liner by Taylor Anding hit Leah Steele in the foot and then a pop fly by Tiffany Gillaspy turned into an inning ending double play as pinch runner Kim Robinson got tossed out at the plate.
In the fifth Western finally got the timely hits they have been looking for when Blair Stalder doubled to right center scoring Kendall Sorenson and Sarah Elliott giving Western the 2-1 lead. The Griffons next batter Keri Lobert singled scoring Stalder putting Western up 3-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth.
Central Oklahoma cut the lead to one in the fifth when Nathalie Timmermans hit her 20th homer of the season cutting Western’s lead to 3-2.
That would be all the Bronchos would get as Bishop shut them down in the sixth and then stranded two runners on base in the seventh getting the victory.
Western had nine hits with Breanna Fleschner, Elliott, Stalder and Lorbert each collecting two.
UCO had six hits with Timmermans going 3-for-3. Rachael Steverson falls to 20-4 going 4.1 innings giving up nine hits with three earned runs. Amanda McClelland went 2.2 innings in relief not giving up any hits.
Game 2: UCO 5, MWSU 0
Western put runners on base in the first four innings but could not get a hit to give them the lead. Things started good for Western as the first two batters reached base but Fleschner was tossed out at third after an Elliot single ending the threat.
Annalee Rubio pitched well keeping the Bronchos off balance holding them to just one hit in the first three innings. In the third she pitched around some trouble but gave up one run. In the fifth and sixth the Griffons defense struggled making two errors giving up four more runs falling 5-0.
Western had five hits with Taylor Anding going 2-for-3. Rubio falls to 13-7 giving up eight hits and four earned runs.
UCO improves to 38-5 with the win. They had eight hits with Kaylee Brunson and Kayce Raines each getting two hits. McClelland improves to 18-1 going all seven innings giving up five hits.
Western will be in action next Thursday playing the first round of the MIAA Tournament. Western will play the 7th seed at 6:00 pm and will take on the 3rd or 6th at 8:00 pm depending on the outcome. Game are played at Blue Valley Receation Complex in Overland Park, Kan.
— MWSU Sports Information —