The Missouri Western softball team used a comeback effort picking up a split against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos on senior day. The Griffons fell in game on in a heart breaker 2-0 in extra innings before scoring five runs in the bottom of the 4th taking game two 5-4. The Griffons improve to 34-16 overall and 17-9 in MIAA play. The Griffons secure the three seed in next weeks MIAA Tournament which will be held at Blue Valley Recreation Complex in Overland Park, Kan. The first two rounds of the tournament will be held on Thursday, May 1 at 6 pm and 8 pm.
Game 1
UCO 2
MWSU 0 (8 innings)
Despite throwing a no-hitter into the 8th inning against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos Jackie Bishop gave up three two out hits dropping an extra 2-0 game. Bishop struck out 11 Bronchos in the contest with just one walk. She falls to 21-8 on the season.
The Griffons could not get much going against Kalynn Schrock leaving four runners on base. They got just one hit in the contest which came in the bottom of the third inning.
The Bronchos got back-to-back two out doubles in the 8th from Hanna Justus and Kaylee Brunson scoring the first run of the game. Devyn Frazier followed the doubles up with a single giving the Bronchos the 2-0 lead.
The Griffons got the lead off hitter on in the 8th off a hit by pitch but that would be it as Schrock picked up her 23rd victory of the season. Schrock went all eight innings giving up one hit with 10 strikeouts.
Game 2
MWSU 5
UCO 4
In the second game of the doubleheader the Griffons used a five run fourth inning picking up the big 5-4 victory. The Griffons got a three run RBI double from Gillaspy in the inning to give them the lead for good.
Janie Smith got the victory for the Griffons going four innings giving up seven hits and three earned runs with two strikeouts. She improves to 13-8 on the season. Bishop got her second save going three innings giving up five hits and one earned run with three strikeouts.
The Bronchos jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Kaylee Brunson scored on a sac fly from Ally Dziadula. They took a 3-0 lead in the third getting two hits which included doubles Dziadula and Emily Ditmore.
In the fourth the Griffons got two hits, two walks and four earned runs off Nicole Brady. Gillaspy hit her base clearing double giving the Griffons the 5-3 lead.
The rest of teh game the was tight as UCO left seven runners on base including the bases loaded in the sixth and seventh. Bishop ended the game with her 14th strikeout of the day securing the victory.
The Bronchos fall to 39-13 overall and 22-4 in MIAA play. They left 15 runners on base and had 12 hits. Brunson, Dziadula, Tori Collet and Hanna Justus each had two hits in the contest. Amanda McClelland pitched three innings giving up two hits and five strikeouts. Schrock went 2.2 innings giving up one hit while striking out four.
The Griffons also honored four Griffon seniors after the game who played their last home games of their career. They include; Kat Steponovich, Jackie Bishop, Michelle Stevenson and Taylor Anding. They also honored two juniors that will graduate in December who are Bre Fleschner and Sydney McCune.
— MWSU Sports Information —