The Missouri Western softball team brought home a number of accolades following its 34-16 season including MIAA Pitcher of the Year and two First Team All-MIAA selections. Seven other Griffons were selected to the Honorable Mention squad.
Senior pitcher Jackie Bishop earned MIAA Pitcher of the Year for the second time in her career as well as being named first team for the fourth time in her outstanding career. Junior first baseman Tiffany Gillaspy was a first team selection for the first time in her career.
Bishop is completing one of the most successful playing careers in Missouri Western softball history. The Kirksville, Mo., natvie is a four-time First Team All-MIAA selection, two time MIAA Pitcher of the Year (2012-2014), three-time First Team All-Region recipient and an All-American selection in 2012. Bishop was also the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2011. Bishop holds MWSU softball career records for wins (91), strikeouts (925), innings pitched (785.1), appearances (135) complete games (99) and shutouts (27). Additionally the two-time MIAA Pitcher of the Year holds MWSU single-season records for strikeouts (243) and shutouts (10) and is an integral member of a senior class that has gone 154-60 in its time dawning the Black and Gold. This season, the right-handed pitcher finished the regular season with a 21-8 overall record with a 1.09 ERA. She leads the MIAA with 239 strikeouts which is just five away from breaking her single season mark of 243 set in 2012. She has pitched 25 complete games with 10 shutouts and two saves this season. She has giving up just four hits per games while striking out eight per game. She has thrown three no-hitters this season and four in her career. She has been named the MIAA AstroTurf Pitcher of the Week four times this season and 11 times in her career.
Gillaspy topped off an impressive junior campaign being named to the first team for the first time in her career. Gillaspy a two-time MIAA AstroTurf Hitter of the Week is currently on an 18 game hitting streak and has hit safely in 40 of the Griffons 50 games. She currently leads the Griffons and is in the top-10 in the MIAA in batting average (.393), hits (64), doubles (12), home runs (11), RBI (49), total baseas (109) and slugging percentage (.669). Gillaspy was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection a season ago. She has had double digit hits in 18 games including going 4-for-4 against Central Missouri on March 14. She has also had five RBI in a game twice and hit two home runs and a double against Lincoln on April 12.
Players that were named to the honoralbe mention squad were, senior catcher Kat Steponovich, sophomore pitcher Janie Smith, senior shortstop Taylor Anding, freshman third baseman Katie Klosterman, freshman outfielder Sydney Washington, freshman outfield Morgan Rathmann and junior outfield Bre Fleschner.
— MWSU Sports Information —