OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Of course it would end this way. It had to end this way. A two-out single by the eight-hole hitter and a bases loaded double play started by the relief pitcher gave the Missouri Western softball team an MIAA Tournament Championship. The Griffons defeated Central Oklahoma 4-3 Saturday to win the regular season and tournament championships for the first time in program history.

With two down in the top of the seventh, Megan Korgie ripped an 0-2 pitch up the middle for a single that scored Shelby Uhl from second to put the Griffons up 4-3 over Central Oklahoma. It didn’t look like it would wind up being the game winner in the bottom of the seventh. Shyanne Saladino, who relieved Janie Smith in the fourth, got the leadoff hitter out in the seventh. She then gave up two straight singles and a walk to load the bases with one out. All Saladino did then was force the MIAA Freshman of the Year, Carli Jones to ground a 1-0 pitch right to her, throw home to get one out then Rebekah Mueller threw Jones out at first for the clincher. It was the 18th straight time Saladino had won a decision after starting the season 3-3.

The Griffons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI single up the middle by Sydney Washington. Katie Klosterman drew a bases loaded hit by pitch in the third to give the Griffons a 2-0 lead. Central Oklahoma took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a home run by Jones off Smith. The Griffons tied it in the sixth on a squeeze. Riley Wilson laid down the bunt in a pinch hit at bat that scored Washington from third.

Saladino moved to 21-3, giving up five hits and no runs in three and two-thirds. Smith pitched three and a third, allowing two runs on six hits. Washington finished 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Morgan Rathmann and Shelbie Atwell both went 2-4.

Missouri Western is now 43-11 and will learn its next destination, Monday at 9 a.m. Griffon Athletics will host a selection show watch party for the NCAA Regional, Monday morning. Doors to the KCP&L Theater in the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex will open at 8:30 a.m.

NOTABLES
– Program’s first time winning both regular season and tournament championships

– Second all-time MIAA Tournament Championship for MWSU (2014)

– Saladino won her 18th straight decision after beginning the season 3-3

– Defense turned seven double plays in four MIAA Tournament games

– Defense was charged with just two errors in MIAA Tournament (.985 fielding percentage)

– Smith and Saladino allowed four total runs all weekend and had a combined 0.91 ERA in the MIAA Tournament

— MWSU Athletics —