The Missouri Western softball team picked up another victory at the Kelly Laas Invite by defeating Wayne State (Neb.) 2-1 in the Husky Dome. The Griffons had nine hits in the game with freshman Kailey Green leading the way with two. Jackie Bishop picked up the victory going all seven with eight strikeouts. She improves to 6-1 on the season while the Griffons improve to 9-3.

Missouri Western put a lot of pressure on the Wildcats as they had runners on base in every inning except the sixth inning. In second inning the Griffons had a good threat as singles by Taylor Anding, Sydney Washington and Morgan Rathmann loaded the bases with one out. Bre Fleschner grounded out into a fielders choice and Michelle Stevenson grounded out to first bases ending the Griffons chance.

After leaving another runner on in the 3rd the Griffons finally broke through in the 4th. Washington reached on an error and later scored an unearned run on a Fleschner single to the shortstop giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead. The Wildcats responded in the 5th when Sam O’Brien blasted a leadoff homer tying the score at one.

The Griffons responded again in the 5th capitalizing on an error by Wayne State’s second baseman. Green reached on the error and then Shelby Elliott pinch ran for her. A sacrafice bunt by Brooke Schaben advanced Elliott to second and then she advanced to third on a Kat Steponovich single. She would score on a wild pitch giving the Griffons the 2-1 lead.

Bishop set the Wildcats down in order in the 6th and then stranded two in the 7th picking up the victory.

Wayne State falls to 2-1 on the season as they had five hits. Kaiti Williams led the charge with two. Kelcie Bormann got the loss going six innings giving up nine hits while striking out three. She falls to 0-1 with the loss.

The Griffons return to action Sunday closing out the invite with two games. They take on the 7th ranked Augustana College Vikings at 1 pm and end the weekend with a game against St. Cloud State at 3 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —