An offense that was nearly non-existent Thursday turned down-right dominant Friday for Missouri Western softball.   The Griffons pounded 44 hits and scored 31 runs in three games to carry them through the second day of the MIAA Softball Championship Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas.

Western, facing elimination in all three games, defeated Washburn 9-6 in Friday’s opener, and followed with an 8-5 victory over Central Missouri, before pounding Fort Hays State 14-5 to become one of two teams left standing in the tournament.

Western’s offensive explosion hit its peak in the Hays game.  Home runs from Breanna Fleschner, Keri Lorbert and Taylor Anding gave the Griffons a 6-0 lead in the first inning.  Seniors Leah Steele and Blair Stalder followed with homers in the top of the fifth inning, leading Western to a run-rule victory, and avenging a loss to the Lady Tigers the night before.

MIAA Pitcher of the Year Jackie Bishop (24-3) picked up two more victories on the day, and set Western’s single-season strikeout record again.  She has 230 k’s this season, surpassing her mark of 224 set in 2011.

Western (42-10) will face Emporia State Saturday at noon in the double-elimination tournament.  The Lady Hornets are undefeated in the tourney, meaning Western will have to win twice in order to take the conference tournament championship.  Game two (if necessary) will immediately follow game one.

— MWSU Sports Information —