ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team opens play Thursday in the MIAA Tournament at Oklahoma City.

The defending tournament champions are the No. 5 seed as the tournament bracket was released Monday night by the MIAA. Missouri Western will play No. 4 seed Missouri Southern on Thursday at 5 p.m. The tournament will be played at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium complex in Oklahoma City Oklahoma.

The Griffons won eight of their final nine regular season games to finish the regular season 36-16 with a 16-10 mark in MIAA play. Missouri Western finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the MIAA standings, but Missouri Southern was awarded the fourth seed by virtue of a 2-0 record against the MWSU in the regular season.

— MWSU Athletics —