ST. JOSEPH – After taking a break from competition last week, the Missouri Western softball team has moved up one spot in the latest NCAA Division II Central Regional Rankings.

The Griffons came in this week at No. 5 after debuting sixth last week. At 32-14 overall and 16-6 in the MIAA, MWSU sits in position to make its eighth trip to the regional tournament in the last 10 years. Ahead of the Griffons are Augustana (1st), Arkansas Tech (2nd), Central Missouri (3rd) and Central Oklahoma. Missouri Western holds a pair of victories over Augustana. Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma both swept the Griffons earlier this season. Fellow MIAA member and upcoming Griffon opponent Emporia State fell to seventh in the regional ranking.

Eight teams will advance to the regional tournaments that will be split into two locations. The MIAA, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and Great American Conference tournament champions will earn automatic bids into regional play.

The Griffons have already earned their way back to the MIAA tournament after winning the event in 2014. The final two series of the regular season could have serious tournament seeding and regional ranking implications. MWSU is currently tied for second in the MIAA with Central Oklahoma, just one game behind Central Missouri. Emporia State is scheduled to visit St. Joseph on Saturday. With four games left on their schedule, the Griffons could earn their second MIAA regular season championship and possibly move up in the regional rankings.

CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS
Team  Record, In-Region Record
1 Augustana (SD) 39-7, 32-7
2 Arkansas Tech 34-12, 34-12
3 Central Missouri 33-13, 32-12
4 Central Oklahoma 35-14, 33-14
5 Missouri Western 32-14, 31-14
6 Henderson State 33-10, 33-10
7 Emporia State 31-15, 31-15
8 Winona State 36-9, 29-8
9 Minnesota State 32-18, 27-16
10 East Central 24-13, 22-13

— MWSU Sports Information —