ST. JOSEPH – Griffon Softball checked in at No. 6 in the first edition of the NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings.
Missouri Western owns the second longest win streak in the nation at 12 games and also received a vote in this week’s NFCA Coaches Top-25 poll. The Griffons are 30-14 overall and sit alone in second place in the MIAA with a 17-5 record. The Griffons have two regular series remaining, hosting Washburn and Emporia State next weekend. Washburn currently is 13-5 in MIAA play in third place in the standings.
During the team’s 12-game win streak – its longest since 2015 – the Griffons hit .336 with 25 doubles and eight home runs. The pitching staff has drastically improved over the last six series, going 12-0 and posting a 1.17 ERA. Griffon pitchers posted a 1.14 WHIP and held opposing batters to a .231 average during the streak.
There weren’t many strangers in the Central Region Rankings. The Griffons have played four of the five teams ranked ahead of them and three of the four behind them already this season. Overall, MWSU is 4-5 against teams ranked in the top-10 of the first Central Region Rankings.
NCAA DIVISION II CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS (records as of April 14, 2019)
| 1 | Central Okla. | 35-3 |
| 2 | Augustana (SD) | 34-7 |
| 3 | Winona St. | 29-5 |
| 4 | Southern Ark. | 37-8 |
| 5 | Arkansas Tech | 31-13 |
| 6 | Missouri Western | 30-14 |
| 7 | Minn. Duluth | 21-14 |
| 8 | St. Cloud St. | 29-11 |
| 9 | Central Mo. | 24-16 |
| 10 | Harding | 29-17 |
The top-eight teams in the final regional rankings advance to the NCAA Division II Softball Championships .The top two seeds will host three other teams each. Missouri Western is looking for its first NCAA postseason appearance since 2017 and 11th since 2005.