The Missouri Western softball team pounded out 19 hits and scored 19 runs in a doubleheader sweep over the Missouri Southern Lions. Tiffany Gillaspy went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and six RBI while Katie Klosterman had three hits with three RBI and a run score. The Griffons improve to 22-14 on the season and 7-7 in MIAA play. They return to action on Friday, April 4 with an MIAA doubleheader against the Fort Hays State Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 4 pm.

Game 1
MWSU 8
MSSU 1

The Missouri Western softball team scored five runs in the fifth inning earning an 8-1 victory in game one against the Missouri Southern Lions. Jackie Bishop went all seven innings improving to 14-6 on the season. She gave up just three hits while striking out eight.

The Griffons got on the board first in the third inning as Morgan Rathmann singled on a bunt and scored on a single down the left field line by Gillaspy. The Lions responded in the top of the 4th on a throwing error by Klosterman.

The rest of the game belonged to the Griffons scoring two runs in the fourth on three hits. Klosterman had an RBI single to left field and Rathmann had a sac bunt scoring Michelle Stevenson giving the Griffons a 3-1 lead after four innings.

In the 5th Washington led off with a walk and advanced to third on a double by Gillaspy. Washington scored on a wild pitch and Gillaspy scored on a passed ball. Gillaspy scored on a passed ball and later Brooke Schaben scored on a double steal after she walked earlier in the inning. Klosterman had an RBI single and and Rathmann had another sac bunt scoring the last two Griffon runs giving them the 8-1 lead.

Bishop shut down the Lions the rest of the game giving the Griffons their 21st victory of the season. The Griffons had eight hits with Gillaspy and Klosterman both getting two. Klosterman and Rathmann both had two RBI in the game.

Shelby Mitchell falls to 1-5 on the season going four innings giving up seven hits and five earned runs. They had just three hits with Alana Heser, Alexah Replogle and Brooke Swadley all getting one.

Game 2
MWSU 11
MSSU 2 (5 innings)

The Griffons scored six runs in the second inning and five in the third earning an 11-2 victory in game two. Gillaspy went 2-for-3 at the plate with five RBI which included a grand slam in the third inning. Janie Smith picked up the victory going five innings giving up four hits and one earned run. She improves to 8-8 on the season.

After getting down 2-0 the Griffons answered with six runs in the second inning. The Griffons got six straight two out hits in the inning plating six runs. In the third the Griffons plated five more which included four on Gillaspy’s eighth homer of the season.

The rest of the game belonged to the Griffons as the Lions fall to 10-24 on the season and 2-8 in MIAA play.

The Griffons had 11 hits with Washington, Gillaspy and Rathmann each getting two. The Lions had just four hits with Alexah Replogle going 2-for-2. Sarah Williams got the loss going three innings giving up 10 hits and five earned runs. She falls to 3-8 with the loss.

— MWSU Sports Information —