ST. JOSEPH – The numbers show the potency of the Missouri Western softball teams lineup from top to bottom and the MIAA Hitter of the Week honors are starting to display the same.

Sydney Washington became the third Griffon to receive the award, being named Co-Hitter of the Week after going 3-5 last week against Northwest Missouri State. The junior showed her prowess in the clutch, hitting the game tying home run in the seventh inning of game two, setting up an extra-inning win for Missouri Western. She just missed what would have been a walk-off home run in the seventh of game one, but her deep fly out put Katie Klosterman on third base. One batter later, Klosterman scored, placing the potential tying run on base in what turned out to be a loss for the Griffons. In the non-conference doubleheader, Washington batted .600 with three hits, a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. She was on base four times and stole a base.

Washington joined Taylor Hamilton and Katie Klosterman as 2016 recipients of the award. Janie Smith was also named Pitcher of the Week earlier this season. Missouri Western takes a two-game lead atop the MIAA standings to Washburn on Friday for a doubleheader. The team concludes the regular season on Saturday at Emporia State.

— MWSU Athletics —