On a rainy and cold day in Hawaii the Griffon softball team split a pair of games on day one of the University of Hawaii-Hilo Round Robin invite. The Griffons opened up the day hitting three home runs on their way to a 7-3 victory over Western Oregon. In game two the Griffons could not get anything going falling 9-1 in five innings against Hawaii-Hilo. The Griffons are 8-4 on the season.

Game 1
Missouri Western 7, Western Oregon 3
In game one of the round robin the Griffons got a solid pitching performance from Jackie Bishop as she gave up just four hits while striking out eight Wolves and allowing just three runs. She improves to 4-1 on the season.

Western Oregon jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, however the Griffons used the long ball helping them gain a 6-1 lead six and a half innings of play. Taylor Andin tied the game at one in the third with her second homer of the season and then Keri Lorbert blasted her fifth of the season giving MWSU the 4-1 lead after three.

The Griffon tacked on two more in the sixth and then Tiffany Gillaspy hit her fourth homer of the season giving MWSU the 7-3 lead. Michelle Stevenson, Lorbert and Sarah Elliott all had two hits in the contest.

Lexi Orteza led the Wolves going 2-for-3 with a runs scored and two RBI while Danielle Hannan also had two hits.

Stephanie Morgan took the loss for WOU, allowing seven runs on 10 hits while tossing a complete game. She falls to 1-3 with the loss.

Game 2
Hawaii-Hilo 9, Missouri Western 1
In game two poor defense hurt the Griffons as they gave up three unearned runs in the loss. The Vulcans scored in every inning except the fourth inning. They took a comanding 7-0 lead after three and scored two more in the fifth putting the run rule in effect.

The Griffons loaded the bases with no one out in the top of the fourth inning but only managed to get just one in. The Griffons had just three hits while Janie Smith picked up her first loss of the season going just three innings giving up seven hits and and four earned runs while walking five.

Vanessa Salinas tossed a three-hitter and struck out seven Griffons. Rebecca Lee went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI while Emily Greene and Melanie Morelos added 2 RBI singles.

The Griffons return to action Friday, February 22 when they take on Western Oregon at 12:00 pm HST (4:00 pm CST) and Hawaii-Hilo at 4:30 pm HST (8:30 pm CST). The games will be played in Waimea, Hawaii at Samura Stadium.

— MWSU Sports Information —