The Missouri Western softball team used a 7th inning rally in game two helping them to a walk off doubleheader sweep over the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Saturday afternoon. The Griffons won game one 5-1 behind the pitching of Jackie Bishop before a Sydney Washington single and an error by the UNK center fielder helped Missouri Western win game two 6-5. The Missouri Western softball team now sits 26-14 overall and 11-7 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 5
UNK 1

The Griffons used a five run third inning earning a 5-1 victory while pounding out 10 hits. Bishop went the complete game giving up one hit and one earned run while striking out 10 and giving up one earned run. She improves to 17-6 with the victory.

The Griffons stranded the bases loaded in the first inning but were able to capitalize on two Loper errors and three hits. Bre Fleschner led off the inning getting hit by a pitch and then Sydney Washington and Tiffany Gillaspy reached on back-to-back errors by the Loper second baseman. Fleschner scored on the second error giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead. Later in the inning Taylor Anding hit a bases clearing double giving the Griffons the 4-0 lead. Katie Klosterman later singled in Anding giving the Griffons the 5-0 lead.

The rest of the game belonged to Bishop as the Lopers did not get a hit until the seventh inning when Kate Ruwe hit a solo homer.

The Griffons were led by Fleschner going 3-for-3 with a run scored while Gillaspy went 2-for-4. Anding went 1-for-2 with three RBI.

Taryn Trosper falls to 2-11 giving up 10 hits and one earned runs with three strikeouts.

Game 2
MWSU 6
UNK 5

The Griffons rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning scoring two runs helping them to a 6-5 walk off victory helping them to their sixth straight victory.

Missouri Western opened up the scoring in the 1st inning getting two hits. Fleschner led off with a walk and scored on a Washington double to right center. Washington scored right after on a Gillaspy single to left field.

In the 3rd the Griffons scored another run when Washing singled to right field and stole two bases including home giving them the 3-0 lead after three.

In the 4th the Lopers scored two runs on one hit cutting the Griffons lead to 3-2 after three and a half innings of play. In their half of the 4th Kat Steponovich blasted her 5th homer of the season giving the Griffons the 4-2 lead after four.

In the 5th the Lopers got another run when Kate Ruwe singled in Mallory Noakes cutting the MWSU lead to 4-3. The Lopers final got the lead in the 6th on three hits. Jen Kramer led off with a single and then Emilee Jonas tripled down the right field line tying the score at four. Taylre Keenan then singled in Jonas giving the UNK the 6-5 lead.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the 7th when Stevenson led off with a single. With one out Fleschner singled to center and then Washington singled to center scoring Stevenson. Fleschner scored on the same play on an error by the center fielder giving the Griffons the win.

Janie Smith got the victory for the Griffons giving up six hits and five earned runs with three strikeouts. She improves to 9-8 with the victory. The Griffons had eight hits with Washington going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.

The Lopers fall 8-22 overall and 6-12 in MIAA play. They had six hits with Keenan and Ruwe each getting two hits. Brittnie Kreiser falls to 4-6 on the season going 6.1 innings giving up five earned runs with two strikeouts.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, April 6 with a non-conference doubleheader against the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Game time is set for 3:00 pm in Maryville, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —