SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Missouri Western softball team (12-11) split a pair of one-run games at Illinois-Springfield (11-9), Tuesday.

The Griffons got all their runs in game one via the long ball, including the game winner in the top of the eighth inning. The bats were quieted in game two as MWSU managed four hits with three coming in the first few innings.

GAME 1
Missouri Western 5, Illinois-Springfield 4 (8 innings)

• Emma Hoffart hit a game-winning, leadoff home run to left in the eighth
• After allowing back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the seventh, Kaili Hinds induced two ground ball outs and struck out the cleanup batter to strand two and force extra innings
• There wasn’t a base runner for almost three complete innings until UIS put four-straight on with two hits a walk and an error to take a 2-0 lead
• Taylor Hoelshcher hit a two-out grand slam in the top of the fourth as part of a four-run, four-hit inning for the Griffs that gave MWSU a 4-2 lead
• Shelby Uhl stayed hot, going 2-for-4 in the game

GAME 2
Illinois-Springfield 3, Missouri Western 2

• UIS scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the fourth
• MWSU scored its two runs in the third
• The Griffons were held to just four hits in the game with one each in the first, second, third and seventh innings
• Gabi Carter doubled twice
• Olivia Goodale got the start and went four innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks

UP NEXT

• Missouri Western is scheduled to host Central Missouri (8-6, 1-3) in a doubleheader Mar. 16 at 4 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —