After a two week break the Missouri Western softball team came out and played well getting a doubleheader sweep against the Northeastern State University RiverHakws. The Griffons got two solid pitching performances winning 6-3 and 4-1. The Griffons have now won 13 of their last 14 games improving to 33-15 overall and 16-8 in MIAA play. With the sweep the Griffons have clinched a spot in next weeks MIAA Tournament in Overland Park, Kan.
Game 1
MWSU 6
NSU 3
The Griffons were able to score early against the Northeastern State RiverHawks picking up a 6-3 victory. The Griffons got another strong performance from Jackie Bishop as she went all seven innings giving up just five hits and three earned runs while striking out a season high 13 RiverHawks. She improves to 21-7 with the victory.
The Griffons got on the board in the first when Brooke Schaben singled up the middle scoring Bre Fleschner who led off the game with a walk. In the second the Griffons got a two out rally going using three straight walks and a single by Tiffany Gillaspy to score two runs. In the third the Griffons plated two more runs giving them the 5-0 lead after three. Morgan Rathman had an RBI triple and scored on a throwing error by the NSU shortstop.
The score stayed that way until the 6th when Fleschner led off with a double to left field and scored on a throwing error the RiverHawk right fielder extending the Griffons lead to 6-0.
In the 7th Bishop had a little trouble giving up two walks and a three run homer to Nevada Campos giving the Griffons the 6-3 victory. The RiverHawks had five hits in the contest while Shelbie Wagnon got the loss going three innings. She gave up five hits and three earned runs while striking out two and walking four. Kylee Cole pitched in relief going three innings giving up two hits and a run.
The Griffons had seven hits with Gillaspy going 3-for-4 with two RBI while Fleschner went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and and RBI.
Game 2
MWSU 4
NSU 1
In game two the Griffons pounded out nine hits with seven of the nine starters getting a hit in the game. Fleschner, Taylor Anding and Michelle Stevenson all had two hits in the contest. Janie Smith improves to 12-8 itching seven strong innings. She gave up just two hits and one earned run while striking out one.
The Griffons got on the board in the first inning when Fleschner singled to centerfield and later scored on a single by Brooke Schaben to shortstop. The RiverHawks responded in the second when Megan Robison hit a homer tying the score at one.
The score stayed that way until the third inning when the Griffons scored three runs. Washington reached on an error and later scored on a fielders choice by Shaben. Gillaspy would later score on a double steal and Anding blasted her fifth homer of the season giving the Griffons the 4-1 lead.
Smith pitched well the rest of the game giving up just one hit whle stranding six Riverhawks.
The RiverHawks fall to 25-27 on the season and 11-13 in MIAA play. Kayce Wooldridge falls to 13-10 going six innings while giving up nine hits and one earned run.
The Griffons will play their final home doubleheader of the season on Saturday, April 26 when they host the University of Central Oklahoma. Game time is set for 12:00 pm. The Griffons honor four senior student athletes that will play their final home games of their career. They include Kat Steponovich, Jackie Bishop, Michelle Stevenson and Taylor Anding.
— MWSU Sports Information —