The Missouri Western softball team bounced back nicely in their final regular season doubleheader. The Griffons pitching staff gave up just one run all day in a 9-0 (6 innings) and 3-1 victory over the Northeastern State RiverHawks. Keri Lorbert became the all-time home runs leader in game one hitting her 38th of her career. The Griffons end the regular season with a 36-14 overall and 20-8 in MIAA play.
Game 1
MWSU 9, NSU 0 (6 innings)
The Griffons rebounded nicely in the first game of the doubleheader against the Northeastern State RiverHawks winning 9-0 in a six inning contest. The Griffons scored runs in every inning but the fourth in the victory.
In the first inning the Griffons scored two runs on one hit. Sarah Elliott and Bre Fleschner both got hit by a pitch and then Elliott scored on a wild pitch. Fleschner scored on a single by Keri Lorbert giving MWSU the 2-0 lead. In the second Tiffany Gillaspy led off with a double to right field and scored on a single by Elliott giving the Griffons a 3-0 lead after two.
In the third the Griffons scored another run on three hits. Gillaspy single in Michelle Stevenson with two outs. In the fifth Gillaspy hit her second homer in as many games and ninth of the season giving the Griffons a 7-0 lead after five.
In the sixth history would be made when Lorbert hit her 13th homer of the season and 38th of her career which is the all-time record. She broke the record that Amy Beverly set from 2003-06. The homer gave the Griffons the 9-0 lead.
That is all Jackie Bishop would need as she went all six innings giving up just two hits while striking out eight. She improves to 20-6 with the victory.
The Griffons had 13 hits with Elliott, Lorbert and Gillaspy all getting three. Lorbert scored two runs and had three RBI while Gillaspy had four RBI and two runs scored.
The RiverHawks only hits came from Cayce Coleman. She also got the loss in the circle going all six giving up 13 hits and nine earned runs while striking out four. She falls to 9-7 with the loss.
Game 2
MWSU 3, NSU 1
In game two freshman pitcher Janie Smith pitched very well not giving up her first hit until the fourth inning. She battled out of a couple of jams in the 5th and 6th innings getting the complete game victory. Smith improves to 16th victory of the season. She went all seven inning striking out seven and walking just one.
The Griffons broke a scoreless tie in the 3rd when they got four hits and scored two runs. Taylor Anding opened up the inning with a single up the middle and then scored on a Fleschner double to center field. Fleschner then scored on a Roemmich single to right field giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead.
The RiverHawks cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth when Madison Reed broke up the no-hitter with a single to short stop. She later scored on a throwing error by Lorbert.
In the fifth the RiverHawks loaded the bases with with two outs but Smith fought her way out of it keeping the score 2-1 in favor of MWSU.
The Griffons responded got an insurance run in the top of the 6th when Lorbert singled and pinch runner Sam Elliott scored on an error by the RiverHawks giving MWSU the 3-1 lead after six.
That would be all Smith would need as the improved to 16-6 in MIAA play. The Griffons has seven hits with Roemmich, Lorbert and Anding all going 2-for-3.
The RiverHawks fall to 26-22 overall and 16-10 in MIAA play. Kayce Woolridge falls to 10-11 going all seven innings. she gave up seven hits and two earned runs with just three strikeouts in the game. The RiverHawks had seven hist with Reed going 2-for-4 with a runs scored.
The Griffons will be the 3rd seed in the MIAA Tournament which will will start on Thursday, May 2nd in Overland Park, Kan at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex. The Griffons will play at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm with opponents to be determined.
— MWSU Sports Information —