OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Janie Smith kept the nation’s fifth highest scoring offense to no runs to help Missouri Western softball to the MIAA Tournament Championship game with a 2-0 win over Central Oklahoma.

It was just the second time Central Oklahoma had been shutout all season. The senior pitcher struck out Jobi Heath on a 2-2 pitch with the tying run at second base to end the game. The Griffons took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth off back-to-back doubles by Katie Klosterman and Sydney Washington. Smith battled through the first six with a 1-0 lead. In the seventh she gave up a leadoff double to MIAA Player of the Year Morgan Heard then walked the potential tying run. The Bronchos used a sacrifice bunt to get runners on third and second. Smith then coaxed a groundout to herself before the big strikeout to end the game.

The Griffons will await the winner of a game between Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State on Saturday. The final elimination game was scheduled for Friday, but the threat of severe weather forced the MIAA to push the game to Saturday morning. Missouri Western is now one win away from claiming both the regular season and tournament championships for the first time in program history.

Klosterman and Washington’s doubles were two of just four hits the Griffons were able to get off Central Oklahoma’s Jessi Walker. Smith held UCO to seven hits, while striking out five and walking four to pick up her 22nd win of the season and giving the No. 13 Griffons their 42nd win of the year.

— MWSU Athletics —