The Missouri Western softball team fell in two close MIAA contests against the Washburn Ichabods. The Griffons fell in eight innings on a walk off grand slam 7-4 before falling 2-1 in the nightcap. The Griffons fall to 10-6 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play. The Griffons games against Emporia State that were scheduled to be played tomorrow, March 8 have been moved to Monday, March 10 with first pitch scheduled for 2 pm in Emporia, Kan.
Game 1
WU 7
MWSU 4 8 innings
The Griffons lost a heartbreaker in game one against the Ichabods falling 7-4 in eight innings on a walk-off grand slam by Bre Hixon. The Griffons had nine hits in the game with Taylor Anding leading the way going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Things looked good for the Griffons early taking a 3-0 lead after three and a half innings of play. Sydney Washington hit her second homer of her career in the top of the third and then Anding blasted a two run bomb in the top of the fourth giving the Griffons the 3-0 lead.
The next inning and a half belonged to the Ichabods as they scored two runs on three hits in the fourth and then tied it at 3 in the 5th when Samantha Carson blasted a lead off home run.
The Griffons got lead off singles in both the 6th and 7th inning but stranded both on second base. The Ichabods also got runners on base but solid defense by the Griffons helped them get out of both jams.
In the top of the 8th Tiffany Gillaspy got hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She then forced the issue on the bases scoring a throwing error by the Hixon.
Janie Smith who replaced Jackie Bishp in the seventh got back-to-back ground outs by the Ichabods opening the 8th. With two outs Washburn got two singles and a walk to set up the homer by Hixon.
Bishop went six innings giving up six hits with seven strikeouts. She also walked three and gave up three earned runs. Smith falls to 4-3 going 1.2 innings giving up three hits and four earned runs with one walk.
The Ichabods had nine hits with Marina Quimny going 2-for-3. Kaylee Erickson started on the mound for the Ichabods going 3.1 innings giving up four hits and three earned runs with two walks and a strikeout. Lauren Thimmesch picked up the victory improving to 2-1 overall. She went 4.2 innings giving up five hits and one earned run.
Game 2
WU 2
MWSU 1
In game two the Griffons four hits off the Ichabods. Washburn scored one run in the first and the go ahead in the bottom of the fourth off a throwing error by the Griffons third baseman.
Janie Smith tied the game in the fourth but that would be all the Griffons could get off pitcher Samantha Carson.
The Ichabods improve to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in MIAA play. They were led by Thimmesch and Quimby with two hits apiece.
Smith went all six innings giving up nine hits and one earned run. She falls to 4-4 with the loss.
— MWSU Sports Information —