The 23rd ranked Missouri Western softball team opened up the 2012 season with a dramitic 2-1 extra inning victory over host school Henderson State before falling 6-0 against Ouachita Baptist on the opening day of the Henderson State Tournament. Western has won their opening game four out of the last five years which includes the last two.
Game One – Missouri Western 2, Henderson State 1 (8 innings)
The opening game of the 2012 season was a thriller with Jackie Bishop pitching an outstanding game going all eight innings. She pitched seven innings of shutout softball before the Reddies got on the board in the bottom of the eighth using the international tie breaker rule where the inning starts with a runner on second.
The Griffons scored two in the top of the eighth using the international tie breaker. Michelle Stevenson started the inning on second. Kim Robinson beat out a bunt putting runners on first and third with Kendall Sorenson coming to the plate. Sorenson laid down a successful suicide squeeze scoring Stevenson giving Western the 1-0. The Griffons pushed one more across the plate before the inning was over giving them the cushion needed to come away with the victory.
Game Two – Ouachita Baptist 6, Missouri Western 0
Western’s junior college transfer pitcher, Annelee Rubio struggled in the circle in her first start as a Griffon. Rubio gave up eight hits in the contest with three coming in the first. Ouachita Baptist scored three of their six runs in the opening frame. The Tigers scored one in the third and two in the fifth taking the victory.
The Griffons had just three hits in the contest and did not get their first hit until the fourth inning when Kat Steponovich double to right field. The Griffons other two hits came in the sixth off the bats of Blair Stalder and Keri Lorbert. Western left eight runners on base in the contest, two in the first, fourth, sixth and seventh innings.
Rubio pitched all six innings giving up four earned runs while striking out six and walking three. She also gave up five doubles in the contest.
Jocelyn Jones went 3-for-4 for Ouachita Baptist with two doubles. Abbie Frakes picked up the victory for the Tigers improving to 1-1. The Tigers sit at 2-2 overall after falling to Delta State 4-3 earlier in the day.
The Griffons will take on Delta State and Rockhurst University tomorrow. Game times are set for 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm respectively.
— MWSU Sports Information —