The Missouri Western softball team picked up its first MIAA victory of the season getting a split with Northwest Missouri State University. The Griffons snapped a four game losing streak with a 5-0 victory in game one before losing 5-3 in game two. The Griffons now sit at 11-9 on the season and 1-5 in MIAA play.
Game 1
Missouri Western 5
Northwest Missouri State 0
The Griffons got the fourth shutout of the season from senior Jackie Bishop as she improved to 7-3 defeating Northwest Missouri State 5-0 in game one. Bishop had gave up just three hits while striking out three in the outing.
The Griffons got things going in the bottom of the first inning as Bre Fleschner led off with her first home run of the season. The Griffons kept up the pressure as Sydney Washington singled. Tiffany Gillaspy reached on a fielder choice and scored on back-to-back singles by Brooke Schaben and Kat Steponovich. The Griffons took a 2-0 lead after an inning of play.
The score stayed that way until the third when Washington blasted her third homer of the season giving the Griffons the 3-0 lead after three innings. In the fifth Bishop was able to strand two Bearcats while the Griffons plated two. Morgan Rathmann led off the 5th with a double down the right field line and scored on a Fleschner fielder’s choice.
Fleschner later scored on a sacrifice fly by Gillaspy giving the Griffons the 5-0 lead.
Bishop set the Bearcats down in order the rest of the way to snap the Griffons four game losing streak.
The Griffons had seven hits with Washington leading the charge with two.
The Bearcats had just three hits in the first game while Abbie Vitosh got the loss falling to 1-5 on the season. She went 5.1 innings giving up seven hits and five earned runs.
Game 2
Northwest Missouri State 5
Missouri Western 3
In game two the Griffons offense struggled getting out hit 10-4 by the Bearcats. The got on the board first but gave up five in the 5th inning splitting the doubleheader.
The Griffons took a 2-0 lead in the 3rd when Washington singled up the middle scoring Fleschner and Rathmann who both walked.
The score stayed that way until the top of the 5th inning when the Bearcats strung together five hits scoring five runs. The Griffons tried to battle back as Steponovich blasted a homer over centerfield in the 6th but that was all the Griffons would get in the loss.
Janie Smith picked up the loss and now sits at 4-6 overall. She gave up nine hits and five earned runs. Bishop pitched 2.1 innings giving up one hit with two strikeouts.
Sarah Baldwin picked up the victory for the Bearcats as she went all seven innings giving up just four hits with four strikeouts. She improves to 3-3 overall. Four different Bearcats got two hits in the contest.
The Griffons return to action on Friday, March 14 with a doubleheader in Warrensburg, Mo. against the Central Missouri Jennies. Game time set for 4:00 pm.
— MWSU Sports Information —