ST. JOSEPH – After sweeping two doubleheaders over the weekend, the Missouri Western softball team is up four spots to No. 18 in the NFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll.

The Griffons are 30-10 overall this season and 15-3 in the MIAA.  They are second behind Pittsburg State in the league standings.

Western has won four in a row and 13 of its last 16 games.  In six games last week, the team went 5-1 and hit 16 home runs.  Six came from freshman Taylor Hamilton, who was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week.

After a Friday doubleheader with Missouri Southern, the Griffons host Pittsburg State this Saturday at noon. It will be senior day for Missouri Western as Janie Smith, Shyanne Saladino and Emilie Laliberte play their last home MIAA doubleheader.

Northwest Missouri State will visit Missouri Western next week for a non-conference doubleheader before the team closes the regular season with trips to Washburn and Emporia State. The MIAA Tournament will begin April 28. The tournament will be played in Oklahoma City this year.

— MWSU Athletics —