ST. JOSEPH – Win eight games in a row, take a two-game lead atop the conference standings, move up three spots in the national poll. That’s been the chain of events for the Missouri Western softball team over the last week.

The Griffons (34-10, 19-3) moved up to No. 15 in the latest NFCA Division II Coaches poll after extending their winning streak to eight games over the weekend. The eighth win in that streak completed a doubleheader sweep of Pittsburg State and gave Missouri Western a two-game lead over the Gorillas and Northwest Missouri State for first place in the MIAA. It was the fourth straight MIAA doubleheader sweep for the team that has won 12 of its last 14 games, and is 24-4 since Mar. 4.

Missouri Western will take a break from MIAA play this week, even with a doubleheader against conference rival, and current second place, Northwest Missouri State. Thursday’s home doubleheader with the Bearcats will not count as conference games. It’s also the Griffons’ final home regular season games this year. Jen Trotter’s team wraps up the regular season with games at Washburn (April 22) and Emporia State (April 23).

Click here to view entire poll.

— MWSU Athletics —