The Missouri Western softball team picked up two more victories on day two of the Arkansas-Monticello Seven State classic defeating Henderson State 6-1 and Arkansas-Monticello 2-1. The Griffons pitching led the way giving up just two runs while striking out 11. MWSU improves to 6-2 on the season.
Game 1
Missouri Western 6, Henderson State 1
The Griffons and the Reddies got off to a slow start as each team had only one hit through four innings of play.
In the fifth inning the Griffons offensive exploded for five runs on five hits claiming a 5-0 lead. After an out the Griffons got a single by Kendall Sorenson and a double by Janie Smith putting runners on second and third with one out.
Taylor Anding got on by a fielders choice with Sorensen scoring on a throwing error by the short stop. Back-to-back singles by Sarah Elliott and Bre Fleschner put MWSU 4-0. Later in the inning Elliott stole home giving the Griffons the 5-0 lead.
In the sixth both teams got out of bases loaded jams giving up zero runs. In the top of the seventh Keri Lorbert hit her fourth homer of the season giving MWSU the 6-0 lead.
Janie Smith gave up a homer in the bottom half of the seventh but forced a double play ending the game. Smith improves to 3-0 on the season pitching her first complete game of her career. She gave up just three hits while striking out five. The Griffons had eight hits with Michelle Stevenson and Sorensen both getting two.
The Reddies fell to 4-9 on the season with the loss. Kayla Williams picked up the loss going just 4.1 innings giving up six hits and four earned runs. She falls to 2-2 on the season. Sarah Gipson hit the homer for the Reddies going 1-for-1 in the game.
Game 2
Missouri Western 2, Arkansas-Monticello 1
Against UAH the Griffons held on for the 2-1 victory. Jackie Bishop got out of a bases loaded no out jam in the sixth inning after giving up one run. Bishop then shut down the Blossoms picking up her third victory of the season. Bishop gave up five hits while striking out six.
The Griffons scored both their runs in the third inning getting four hits with two of them bouncing off the fence. Elliott double to right center leading off the inning and then Fleschner got a bunt single advancing Elliott to third.
Stevenson tried a squeeze bunt but Elliott got tagged out at home. The next play was a double steal which Fleschner just got under the tag giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead. With two outs Keri Lorbert blooped a single down the left field line scoring Stevenson which proved to be the game winner.
Randa Perry pitched all seven innings for UAM giving up four hits and two earned runs. She falls to 4-3 on the season with four strikeouts. The Blossoms had five hits with five different players getting hits. UAM falls to 8-5 with the loss.
The Griffons will be in action again on Sunday, February 17 with games against Oklahoma Christian and Southern Arkansas. Game times are 9:00 am and 11:00 am respectively.
— MWSU Sports Information —