The Missouri Western softball team picked up two victories Friday evening, defeating Lincoln University 8-3 just before the Griffons defeated 2012 MIAA Champions Emporia State 4-2. The Griffons, who were scheduled to play in the MIAA-NSIC this weekend, move to 18-8 on the season.
After weather prevented most teams from making it to St. Joseph for the crossover tournament, the Griffons were able to schedule two games, one against Lincoln and one against Emporia State.
Missouri Western 8, Lincoln 3
In the first game, the Griffons came back after a solo home run from Lincoln pitcher Starr McLeod to win the game.
McLeod’s homer marked the score 1-0 heading into the bottom of the second. Keri Lorbert tied the game after her own solo home run in the bottom of the second, however.
After going down 2-1 in the third, the Griffons used a five-run third inning to take a commanding lead. Pitcher Janie Smith, who picked up her ninth win, singled to left field before Sarah Elliott’s sac bunt put a runner on second. After Bre Fleschner reached on an error by the first baseman, Tiffany Gillaspy tripled to right field, scoring two runs. Gillaspy eventually scored before Michelle Stevenson homered to center field to complete the inning.
The Griffons added runs in the fifth and sixth innings and gave up a run in the seventh to take the 8-3 victory.
Missouri Western 4, Emporia State 2
In a tightly-played game, the Griffons took the win thanks to a strong fourth inning.
No team scored in the first three innings, but in the bottom of the fourth, the Griffons began to take the game away from the Hornets. Gillaspy was walked, and soon after Lorbert singled to center field Kendall Sorensen added a double to score Gillaspy. Maegan Roemmich and Taylor Anding both singled after that to score two more runs to mark the game 3-0.
Emporia came back and put together consecutive doubles to collect two runs in the sixth inning. But the Griffons came back and added another run to up the lead to 4-2. Roemmich doubled to right center to score Brooke Schaben, who was pitch running for Lorbert.
In the seventh inning, the Hornets nearly nailed a two-run homer from Andrea Piezuch, who had two hits on the day. Sorensen caught the ball right near the fence, however, to end the game. Jackie Bishop pitched all seven innings and picked up her ninth win of the season.
Seven Missouri Western batters had two hits or more on the day. The Griffons continue action tomorrow morning at the Griffons Spring Sports Complex Missouri Western Softball Field. They play a doubleheader against Northern State, which starts at 11 a.m.
— MWSU Sports Information —