BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Missouri Western softball team outscored their opponents 10-3 on the way to a 2-0 day to open the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Arkansas Friday. Sydney Washington reached base all seven times she came to the plate and finished the day, 5-7.

Game 1: MWSU 3, Truman State 2

The Griffons stole five bases in a 3-2 win over Truman State, Friday, to open the 8-State Classic.

The Griffons got off to a great start, scoring a run two batters into the game, with the first three batters reaching base. Morgan Rathmann led off with a single and scored when Tiffany Gillaspy doubled to left. Shyanne Saladino struck out the first two batters she faced in the first but then surrendered a solo home run to tie the game at one. Saladino recovered, striking out her third in the inning after the home run. The newcomer got the win, moving to 3-0 on the season. She allowed five hits, all in the first four innings and struck out six.

Missouri Western added another in the third. Sydney Washington tripled and scored two batters later when Kailey Green drove her in. The Griffons scored what proved to be the winning run in the fifth. Rathmann led off the inning with a single, stole second and third and came home on a Washington single. Rathmann and Washington each had two hits.

Game 2: MWSU 7, Quincy 1

The Griffons scored three quick runs in the first with five of the first six batters reaching, on the way to a 7-1 win in game two over Quincy.

Morgan Rathmann led off the game with a single. Tiffany Gillaspy followed with a single of her own, then Sydney Washington added a third straight single to bring Rathmann home. Washington would bring Rathmann home again in the second for the team’s fourth run. They added two more in the third when Rathmann drove Katie Klosterman and Emilie Laliberte home with a single. MWSU’s final run of the game came in the fourth when Washington led off the inning with a solo homer.

Washington finished the game with three hits and three RBI, reaching base all four times. Gillaspy added three hits and a run scored and Rathmann had two hits with two runs scored. Janie Smith picked up her second win of the season, going the distance and allowing just three hits and one run, while striking out 10.

Missouri Western takes a 5-2 record into day two at the 8-State Classic. They’ll take on Minnesota-Duluth at 1 p.m. and Southern Arkansas at 3 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —