The 24th ranked Missouri Western softball team got back on  track sweeping a doubleheader against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers on  Saturday afternoon. The Griffons got strong pitching performances from Jackie Bishop and Janie Smith improving to 26-10 overall and 10-4 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 7, UNK 1

In game one the Griffons used two big innings and a strong pitching performance by Bishop earning a 7-1 victory. The Griffons had 12 hits in the contest with four players getting two hits.

The Griffons broke the game open in the third inning scoring four runs on five hits with two out. The Griffons got five hits in a row with Kandall Sorensen and Taylor Anding each getting two RBI doubles giving MWSU the 4-0 lead after three.

The Griffons tacked on three more in the top of the fifth getting four more hits with Kat Steponovich getting a two RBI on a single to center field. After the fifth the Griffons led 7-0.

Bishop went six innings giving up just three hits while striking out six and walking just two. She improves to 13-4 with the victory.

The Lopers had four hits with four different players getting hits. Taryn Trosper got the loss going 2.2 innings giving up seven hits and four earned runs. She falls to 1-4 on the season.

Game 2
MWSU 8, UNK 5 (10 innings)

In game two the Griffons came from behind picking up the big road victory. MWSU got 13 hits with Gillaspy going 3-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored.

Gilaspy opened up the game getting her 7th homer of the season in the top of the first giving MWSU the 2-0 lead. The Lopers responded getting two runs in both the first and second inning taking a 4-2 lead after two.

The Griffons got one back in the top of the third on a double from Keri Lorbert and an RBI single from Gillaspy cutting the Loper lead to 4-3 after three.

Janie Smith settled down nicely holding the Lopers to no runs for three straight innings, but in the bottom of the sixth the Lopers got another run giving them the 5-3 lead after six.

In the seventh Brooke Schaben led off the innning with a double and then Bre Fleschner got on by an error by the second baseman. Fleschner would steal second and Gillaspy singled in both runners tying the score at five.

Smith held the Lopers scoreless the rest of the way and finally in the 10th the Griffons broke the tie. Gillaspy started at second due to the international tie-breaker rule and scored on a passed ball. Maegan Roemmich hit her 6th homer of the season later in the inning giving the Griffons the 8-5 lead.

Smith picked up her 13th victory of the season going all 10 innings. She gave up 11 hits while striking out a season high eight. Keri Lorbert, Michelle Stevenson, Roemmich and Anding all had two hits in the game.

The Lopers fall to 7-21 on the season and 2-10 in MIAA play. Mallory Noakes, Jen Kramer and Kenzie Helmink all had two hits while Bailey Backhuus got the loss going 3.2 innings giving up three hits and two earned runs while striking out wo.

The Griffons return to MIAA action with a double header against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Game time is set for 5:00 pm from the MWSU Softball Field.

— MWSU Sports Information —