The Missouri Western softball team struggles in Kansas continued on Monday afternoon falling 4-3 and 7-3 against #21 Emporia State. The Griffons have lost four in a row and sit at 10-8 overall and 0-4 in MIAA play.

Game 1
Emporia State 4
Missouri Western 3

In game one the Griffons struggled to string any hits together falling 4-3. The Griffons had just four hits the Hornets 10 and left six runners on base to the Hornets eight.

The Griffons got on the board first in the top of the fourth inning when Tiffany Gillaspy hit her fourth homer of the season. That lead was short lived as the Hornets responded in their half of the fourth when Jacie Stephen hit a two run homer giving ESU the lead for good. Emporia tacked on two more in the 5th inning. They had five hits while scoring two runs taking the 4-1 lead after five.

In the sixth the Griffons left one runner on base and in the 7th they put used two hits and two walks to score two runs. With runners bases loaded and one out Brooke Schaben hit into a fielder choice scoring one and Gillaspy grounded out to third ending the game.

Gillaspy had two of the Griffons four hits while Bishop falls to 6-3 on the season. She gave up 10 hits and four earned runs while striking out three and hitting three batters.

Emporia State pounded out 10 hits with Taylor Zordel, Tricia Vogel and Andrea Piezuch each getting two. Kaitlyn Caston improved to 11-3 overall going all seven innings. She gave up four hits and three earned runs while walking four and striking out just one.

Game 2
Emporia State 7
Missouri Western 3

In game two the struggles continued for the Griffons getting outscored 7-1 in the final five innings falling 7-3. The Griffons had just four hits and three errors in the contest.

Once again the Griffons got on the board first scoring two runs in the second inning off a two run homer from Kat Steponovich. It was Steponovich’s second homer of the season.

The lead was short lived as the Hornets answered the two runs on three hits. Stephens got an RBI single and Eryn Stockman got an RBI on a fielders choice tying the score at two after two innings.

The Griffons stayed calm going ahead in the third as Bre Fleschner led off with a double and scored on a Gillaspy sacrifice fly giving the Griffons a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the third ESU blew things open using two hit by pitches putting runners on first and second with one out. With two outs the Hornets doubles by Stockman and Madison Rich giving the Hornets the 6-3 lead after three.

The Griffons left at least one runner on in the last four innings but could not get any momentum to make the comeback. The Hornets tacked on one more run improving to 15-4 overall and 4-0 in MIAA play.

In game two Steponovich led the way with two hits while Janie Smith falls to 4-5 overall. She gave up 10 hits and 7 earned runs with two strikeouts.

The Hornets were led by Jessica Gragg, Stephens and Rich as they all had two hits. Stockman led the way with three RBU while Rich had two. Stockman improves to 4-1 going all seven innings. She gave up four hits and three earned run. she walked four and struck out just one.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, March 11 with an MIAA doubleheader against rival Northwest Missouri State. It is an important doubleheader for both teams as they both sit at 0-4 in MIAA play. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm from the Griffon Softball Field at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Sports Information —