ST. JOSEPH – The No. 15 Griffon Softball team turned to theatrics once again, splitting a non-conference doubleheader with Northwest Missouri State. The Griffons rallied in the seventh inning of both games, coming up short in game one, but tying game two before an extra-inning victory.

Game 1: Northwest Missouri 3, #15 MWSU 2

Missouri Western tried to mount another seventh inning rally against the Bearcats, but came up just short with the tying run at first base.

Down 3-0 going into the bottom of the seventh, Taylor Hamilton led off with a double up the middle. Shelby Uhl scored, running for Hamilton, two batters later on Katie Klosterman’s one-out double to left center. Sydney Washington got Klosterman to third with a fly ball to center that went all the way to the warning track. Megan Korgie singled down the right field line to drive in Klosterman, but Rebekah Mueller popped up to the shortstop to the game.

The Griffons’ three hits in the inning gave them five for the game. Kendle Schieber held Missouri Western to two hits through the first six innings. All the Northwest Missouri State runs came via Alexix Kelsey home runs. She hit two for the Bearcats, a two-run shot to right in the first and a solo homer to left in the fourth. Other than Kelsey’s two long balls, the Bearcats were limited to two hits off Janie Smith.

Game 2: #15 MWSU 4, Northwest Missouri 3 (8 innings)

Down 3-1 headed to the bottom of the seventh, Katie Klosterman started what had to feel like Déjà vu for the Bearcats. The junior led off the inning with a home run to right center that Sydney Washington followed with a home run down the left field line to tie the game. Missouri Western stranded a runner on second.

Taylor Hamilton then did it again, earning her third walk-off hit of the season with a double to right center that scored Paige Shifflett who singled to lead off the eighth. Riley Wilson got Shifflett to second with a pinch-hit sacrifice bunt.

The Griffons were able to overcome four errors in the game and just three hits through the first six innings. Hamilton went 3-4 in the game and Washington was 2-3. Shyanne Saladino picked up the win that moved Missouri Western to 35-11 overall.

Missouri Western now hits the road to end the season with doubleheaders at Washburn and Emporia State on April 22 and 23.

— MWSU Athletics —