Dave Riggert – Page 618 – St. Joseph Post Archive

KU’s Heeney, Shepherd, McDonald selected in 2015 NFL Draft

Posted on May 2, 2015May 2, 2015

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – It was an exciting afternoon for Kansas football as three Jayhawks were selected in the 2015 National Football League (NFL) Draft. Linebacker Ben Heeney and cornerbacks JaCorey Shepherd and Dexter McDonald were each selected on the third day of the draft, giving KU three draft picks for the first time since 2010.

Heeney was the first Jayhawk off the board as he was taken in the fifth round by the Oakland Raiders with the 140th overall pick. The Hutchinson, Kansas native led Kansas in tackles in each of the last three seasons, picking up First Team All-Big 12 honors in 2014.

“This is what I have been working toward since third grade,” said Heeney. “Just having my family and friends around me when it happened, it was so special. Everyone started crying and it’s just what I have been working toward since I started playing football. Never in a million years did I think I would be an Oakland Raider, but I couldn’t be more happy to be one.”

Heeney concluded his senior season ranking second in the Big 12 and 12th nationally with 127 tackles, including 88 solo stops—which ranked first in the conference and second in the NCAA. Heeney recorded a 2014 Big 12 high 21 tackles against Texas Tech. Of his 21 stops against the Red Raiders, 17 were solo hits, marking the second most-ever by a player in a Big 12 Conference game.

During his Kansas career, Heeney tallied 335 total tackles, which ranks eight in KU history. He also finished with 35.5 tackles-for-loss, which puts his name in fourth place on the KU all-time chart.

Heeney is the first Jayhawk drafted by the Oakland Raiders since 1978 when tackle Lindsay Martin was tabbed by the organization in the third round. Being taken with the 140th pick marks the highest draftee for Kansas since 2010, when safety Darrell Stuckey was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round with the 110th pick.

Next up for Kansas in the 2015 NFL Draft was Shepherd who was selected in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 191st pick.

“There is a lot of excitement around here right now,” said Shepherd, who watched the draft with his family back home in Mesquite, Texas. “I have been working since middle school for this moment. I was getting a little nervous for a while, but now I am just ready to get to Philly and prove everyone who passed me up wrong. I knew when I visited the Eagles that they liked me a lot, so I knew going there was a possibility. They expected me to go earlier and told me they were very happy I was still around for that pick.”

Shepherd earned First Team All-Big 12 honors in 2014. He started all 12 games for the second-straight season and led the Big 12 with 19 passes defended, while also recording 30 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions, while only allowing two touchdown passes. Additionally, he averaged 20.9 yards on 33 kick returns.

Shepherd is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 Second Team honoree and a four-time Athletic Director’s Honor Roll member. He was named the Lee Roy Selmon Community Spirit Award, a 2015 University of Kansas Men of Merit honoree and was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award. He took home the Rock Chalk Choice Award for Best Jayhawk in a Supporting Role and was the University of Kansas nominee for the 2013-14 Big 12 Conference Male Sportsperson of the Year.

Shepherd is the first Jayhawk to be drafted by the Eagles since they plucked two KU players in the 1978 draft. In 1978 a pair of KU running backs, Norris Banks and (fifth round) Bill Campfield (11th round), were selected by Philadelphia.

McDonald and Heeney will remain teammates as McDonald was tabbed in the seventh round by the Raiders with the 242nd pick overall. The Kansas City, Missouri, native, started 24-straight games at cornerback for KU, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 6, 2014.

“Its amazing,” said McDonald. “I achieved a lifelong dream today. It was a relief to get that phone call from the Raiders and I am very grateful to them for picking me. A lot of people don’t have this opportunity, I feel very blessed to be in this exclusive position and have been able to share this time with my family.

“Oakland plays man defense so I am excited to get out there and show them that they made a good selection by picking me. Playing man is my strength and I am ready to get there and get work. I could not be more excited about getting to keep playing with Ben (Heeney). We have been on the field a lot together over the last few years and it will be nice having a fellow Jayhawk out there with me.”

McDonald joined forces with Shepherd to form one of the top secondary tandems in the NCAA. He collected 35 tackles, 13 pass breakups and two interceptions as a senior. His 13 pass breakups ranked fifth in the Big 12 Conference.

McDonald had a stellar junior campaign in the Crimson and Blue as he ranked eighth in the Big 12 with 12 pass breakups, to go along with 29 tackles and two interceptions.

Heeney, Shepherd and McDonald are the first Jayhawk trio to be selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 when KU players Darrell Stuckey (4th, San Diego Chargers), Kerry Meier (5th, Atlanta Falcons) and Dezmon Briscoe (6th, Cincinnat Bengals) were each tabbed.

— KU Sports Information —

Griffons get swept by Washburn in MIAA Tournament first round series

Posted on May 1, 2015

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western baseball team had its season end on Friday night as Washburn defeated MWSU, 9-1. The Ichabods won the first two games of the best-of-three series to sweep the Griffons in the first round MIAA Tournament series.

Western allowed 15 hits and committed five errors defensively to help the Ichabods.

The Ichabods jumped on the board in the first inning as Parker Gibson opened the game with a single to right field. He was advanced on a sac bunt and eventually brought home by Kyle Carnahan when he singled to left field. The second run of the inning came on a failed pick off attempt when Cody Childs lost the ball, allowing Carnahan to score from third.

In the bottom of the second inning, Cosimo Cannella recorded his fifth home run on the season when he blasted a ball down the left field line.

A nightmare of a fourth inning allowed the Ichabods to score five runs on six hits. The Griffons committed three errors in the inning with nine batters coming to the plate for the Ichabods.

The Griffons used six different pitchers throughout the game and record their first, one, two, three inning in the eighth.

Starting pitcher Mike Heffernan was outstanding for the Ichabods, allowing just one run on just two hits. He recorded 37 pitches through the first five innings and ending the game with just 75 total pitches. Heffernan picked up his fourth win of the season.

The Griffons end the season with a record of 29-21 overall and will have to fill the void of nine seniors for the 2016 season.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Young throws five no-hit innings in Royals’ 4-1 win over Detroit

Posted on May 1, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chris Young pitched five no-hit innings and the Detroit Tigers didn’t break through until the eighth in a 4-1 loss Friday night to the Kansas City Royals

Young, making his first start of the year after five relief appearances, struck out nine and walked three before exiting with his pitch count reaching 81.

Young (2-0) walked the bases full with one out in the fourth, but recovered to strike out J.D. Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes on seven pitches to end the inning.

Ryan Madson pitched two perfect innings after Young was pulled. Kendrys Morales drove in three of the Royals’ runs.

Nick Castellanos laced a clean single to left off right-hander Kelvin Herrera after Alex Avila walked in the eighth for the first Detroit hit. Jose Iglesias had reached on an infield single to load the bases. Avila scored on an Anthony Gose ground out for the lone Tigers run.

Herrera, however, walked Ian Kinsler to again load the bases.

In a 10-pitch battle, Herrera struck out Miguel Cabrera, who fouled off four pitches with two strikes. Herrera, who threw 30 pitches in the eighth, retired Victor Martinez on a fly ball to left fielder to end the inning.

The Tigers threatened again in the ninth off Wade Davis with a Cespedes double and an Avila single. Davis struck out Castellanos and retired Iglesias on a comebacker to earn his fifth save in as many chances.

The Royals’ 3-4-5 hitters, Lorenzo Cain, Hosmer and Morales combined to go 7 for 12 with all four runs.

Left-hander Kyle Lobstein (2-2) took the loss, yielding four runs on 10 hits in 7 1/3 innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: RHP Bruce Rondon (bicipital tendinitis) faced hitters Thursday at the spring training complex in Lakeland, Florida. Manager Brad Ausmus said Rondon would probably have one more session in Lakeland before going out on a minor league rehab assignment.

Royals: SS Alcides Escobar went on the seven-day concussion disabled list, backdated to Thursday. Escobar failed to pass a concussion test Friday as required. He was hurt when hit in the face by a Danny Salazar pitch Wednesday in Cleveland.

UP NEXT

Tigers: LHP David Price, the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner, is 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four games against the Royals, permitting but 12 hits in 22 innings.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez returns Saturday to the rotation after completing a five-game suspension. He has a 1.43 ERA in his past 10 starts.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western softball knocked out of MIAA Tournament by UCM

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Missouri Western softball team had its MIAA Tournament Championship defense stopped Friday night by top seeded Central Missouri. The Griffons fell 3-1 to the MIAA regular season champions as they came up one game shy of playing for the title again.

MWSU finished 3-2 at the MIAA tournament as they are now 36-19 on the season.

Missouri Western fell behind 2-0 and had a good chance to tie in the fourth but had the threat halted when Tiffany Gillaspy was caught in a run-down between third base and home. Morgan Rathmann led off the inning with a single and then stole second with Sydney Washington batting. Washington flew out then Tiffany Gillaspy singled and advanced to second, putting two runners in scoring position with one out. Paige Shifflett put the Griffons on the board with an RBI single to center that put Gillaspy on third and Shifflett advanced to second on the throw. After Kailey Green popped up to the shortstop Gillaspy was thrown out in a run-down with Klosterman batting. A wild pitch went off the home plate umpire’s foot and bounced right back to the catcher, freezing Gillaspy between third and home.

Central Missouri added another run in the bottom half of the fourth. The Griffons got the first two batters on in the fifth with Brooke Schaben leading off with a single but she was out on a force play with Rathmann reaching on a fielder’s choice. Rathmann stole second with Washington batting again and Washington line out to center to record the second out. Gillaspy was then hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with two out. Shifflett hit into a fielder’s choice and Washington was forced out to end the inning.

Janie Smith went the distance again, pitching all but two innings of the Griffons’ four games in the tournament, 33 innings in all. She fell to 18-11 with the loss, giving up three runs on eight hits. Her offense gave her just four hits, one each coming from Rathmann, Gillaspy, Shifflett and Schaben.

The team will now await its postseason fate when NCAA Regional selections are announced on May 4. The Griffons came into the weekend ranked sixth in the region, with the top-eight advancing on to the regional tournament.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri’s Morse, Golden drafted in second round

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

CHICAGO, Ill. – Mizzou football’s Mitch Morse (Austin, Texas) and Markus Golden (St. Louis, Mo.) were both selected on day two of the NFL Draft on Friday (May 1), giving Mizzou three selections thus far after Shane Ray (Kansas City, Mo.) was drafted in the Thursday’s first round. Morse was taken with the 17th pick of the second round (49th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs while Golden was selected with the 26th pick of the second round (58th overall) by the Arizona Cardinals.

Mizzou has now had 29 players drafted under the direction of head coach Gary Pinkel while Mizzou as a program has had 47 total players selected in history.

Morse was voted by the SEC coaches as an All-SEC Second Team honoree. The Texas native started all 14 games and started his final 38 games as a Tiger at right tackle, protecting the blindside of QB Maty Mauk. He was a cornerstone of an offensive line that helped Mizzou rack up an average of 367.0 yards per game, including 177.9 yards per game on the ground. Morse helped guide Mizzou to a 24-5 record and back-to-back SEC East Championships in his last two seasons, serving as a captain in 2014.

Golden evolved into a fan favorite with his high motor over the past two seasons. Golden earned All-SEC Second Team honors at defensive end from the league’s coaches and was an Associated Press All-SEC honorable mention selection as well. The St. Louis, Mo., native was Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week following his performance at Tennessee (Nov. 22) and was SEC Defensive Player of the Week as well. He finished 2014 third on the team with his 78 tackles, 20 of which went for a loss to go along with 10.0 sacks and a team-high 12 quarterback hurries. He also forced three fumbles and recovered three more. Golden ranked ninth nationally in tackles for loss and is 20th nationally in sacks, ranking in the top-six in the SEC in both categories. He was a monster in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, earning MVP honors with a game-high 10 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 1.5 sacks. He also added three QB hurries in the 33-17 win over Minnesota

— MU Sports Information —

K-State’s Lockett selected by Seattle in third round of NFL Draft

Posted on May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft Friday evening. His selection, the 69th overall pick in this year’s draft, extended K-State’s Big 12-leading streak with at least one player selected in the NFL Draft to 22 straight years.

Lockett is the fourth Wildcat to be drafted by the Seahawks, including the third wide receiver. Former receivers Taco Wallace (seventh round) and Chris Harper (fourth round) were selected in 2003 and 2013, respectively, while offensive lineman Todd Weiner was taken by the organization in 1998. In addition, Lockett is the highest Wildcat wide receiver selected since Jordy Nelson in 2008 (36th overall, Green Bay).

One of the top wide receivers and all-purpose players in school history, Lockett became Kansas State’s first four-year All-American and was a two-time Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year honoree. The Tulsa, Oklahoma, product broke 17 school records, including career marks for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns that were previously held by his father, Kevin. He also ranks highly in Big 12 history as he ranks in the top 10 in seven categories, including tying for the top mark in kickoff-return average, ranking third in all-purpose yards and kickoff-return touchdowns, and fifth in receiving yards and kickoff-return yards.

Tyler is the third member of the Lockett family to attend Kansas State and subsequently be picked in the NFL Draft. Kevin was selected in the second round – No. 47 overall – by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1997 draft, while Tyler’s uncle, Aaron, was selected in the seventh round – No. 254 overall – by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2002 draft.

— KSU Sports Information —

Griffons drop game one to Washburn in 10 innings

Posted on April 30, 2015

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western baseball team opened up the first round of the MIAA tournament against Washburn on Thursday night but fell in 10 innings 6-5. The Ichabods lead the best-of-three series 1-0.

Washburn started their scoring off with two runs in the top of the third inning as Tanner Johnson walked to start the inning. He was driven in by Parker Gibson to score the first run of the game with a hit to centerfield. Riley Krane brought Gibson in on a single through the right side.

Missouri Western was able to tie the game up with one swing of the bat from Ryan Degner as he hit a two-run home run to right field.

The Ichabods earned their third run of the game as Corey Gragg picked up an RBI single to score Tanner Triggs

Missouri Western put together a three-run inning in the bottom of the fourth. Dylon Koch was the first to reach on an error by the second baseman. Seniors Trevor LaHonta, Ryan Degner, and Cody Childs all picked up RBIs in the inning.

Washburn evened up the score with one run coming in the fifth and seventh inning each. Krane opened up the seventh inning with a triple and eventually scored on a Kyle Carnahan single to the left side.

Pinch hitter Matt Sutliffe tallied his first hit of the season, scoring Wes Jones in the top of the 10th inning with a blop single to left field. The Griffons put two on in the bottom of the 10th but couldn’t find a way to get a run home.

Ryan Degner went 4-for-6 on the day including three RBIs and scoring two runs. Left fielder Orencio Fisher had three hits and five other Griffons recorded one hit.

The Griffons and Ichabods will face off in an elimination game starting at 6 p.m. on Friday night.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Duffy throws gem as Kansas City pounds Detroit in series opener

Posted on April 30, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — While the Kansas City Royals have been notorious slow starters in past seasons, they enter May in first place.

Danny Duffy pitched shutout ball into the eighth and Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer as the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 8-1 on Thursday night.

The Royals lost 13 of 19 to Detroit last year to finish a game behind the Tigers, who have won the past four AL Central titles.

“We’re a different team than the last time we faced them,” Hosmer said. “We said it would be a good test for our team to see where we’re at. It’s only one game, but these games are important.”

The Royals finished April with a 15-7 record, the second highest win total for the month in franchise history

“It’s a great way to start the season,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “I’m just pleased with everything. I’m pleased with the approach at the plate, our defense and our base running. Our bullpen has been absolutely almost unhittable for the most part all month long. Our starting rotation has done a very solid job. I’m just pleased with all phases our game right now.”

Duffy gave up his first run when Rajai Davis’ single scored Jose Iglesias, who led off the inning with a triple. Duffy (2-0) struck out seven and walked two, while allowing seven hits before being replaced by Jason Frasor with no outs in the eighth.

“I need to get my team innings especially right now we need to get deep into games,” Duffy said. “Dave (Eiland, pitching coach) came up to me yesterday and just said I want to see seven from you tomorrow when we were in Cleveland.”

Hosmer, who also homered Wednesday at Cleveland, drove an Alfredo Simon pitch to center with Mike Moustakas aboard in the Royals’ three-run third. Moustakas doubled home Alex Gordon with the first run.

The Royals batted around in a five-run fifth, which included a Gordon two-run single and Kendrys Morales and Salvador Perez hitting successive RBI doubles. Christian Colon also drove in a run with a single.

Jarod Dyson had three singles as the Royals banged out 14 hits. Every Royal starter collected at least one hit.

“They’ve got a very athletic lineup,” Tigers catcher James McCann said. “They’ve got speed and hitting. That’s why they’ve got the record they’ve got. It’s just the way they take advantage. It’s what you saw last year and why they went to the World Series. They’ve got confidence.”

Simon (4-1) had allowed five runs and 22 hits in winning his first four starts, but the Royals knocked him out after 4 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on nine hits.

“I just tried to confuse them, but these guys right now are swinging the bats well,” Simon said.

BEATING THE SHIFT

With the Tigers shifting to the right side with Moustakas at the plate in the first inning, he put down a bunt just inside the third base bag for an easy single. Moustakas has four straight multi-hit games, raising his average to .356.

WALKING MAN

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera walked in his first two plate-appearances, bringing his total to 15.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: RHP Joe Nathan underwent season-ending elbow surgery. He registered just one save this year before going on the disabled list. . RHP Justin Verlander will have his third MRI early next week in Chicago to establish how much inflammation remains in his sore right triceps. He reported no discomfort after light toss Thursday.

Royals: SS Alcides Escobar was not in the lineup with concussion-like symptoms after being hit in the cheek by a Danny Salazar pitch Wednesday in Cleveland. Escobar will be tested again Friday. . RHP Greg Holland had his second bullpen session since going on the disabled list April 18 with a pectoral strain.

UP NEXT

Tigers: Rookie LHP Kyle Lobstein, who has held left-handed hitters to .229 average, starts the second game of this series.

Royals: RHP Chris Young makes his first start after a 1-0 record and a 1.86 ERA in five relief appearances.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs select Washington CB Marcus Peters with the No. 18 pick

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs were willing to take a chance on Marcus Peters.

He intends to prove the gamble was worth it.

The Chiefs selected the former Washington cornerback with the No. 18 pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, fully confident that Peters has matured after repeated run-ins with new Huskies coach Chris Petersen that led to his dismissal midway through last season.

“I didn’t handle the coaching change well and I took full responsibility for that,” Peters said. “I just owned up to it. I told them, ‘If you take me, I’m going to give you my all.'”

The 6-foot, 190-pound Peters was considered one of the top defensive backs in the draft, but his situation at Washington resulted in red flags going up all around the league.

With that in mind, his agent Doug Hendrickson encouraged Peters to visit any team that wanted to meet him. The result was a whirlwind tour of the league — and countless questions about his past — that included a stop in Kansas City with Reid and general manager John Dorsey.

As the draft approached, Dorsey dispatched on of his top lieutenants, Chris Ballard, to meet with Peters and his family at their home in Oakland. With any lingering character questions put to rest, the Chiefs decided to go forward with the pick when they were put on the clock.

“We all make mistakes at times in life. Marcus realizes that,” Reid said. “We feel comfortable he realizes that. It was an emotional situation and he didn’t handle it the right way. I think he’s learned from it, just from our experience with him.”

Off-the-field issues aside, Peters’ ability is undeniable.

He started the last eight games of his freshman season, became the Huskies’ regular cornerback by his sophomore year and had three interceptions in his first eight games as a junior. All told, Peters made 129 tackles and picked off 11 passes in just 34 games.

Peters was the third cornerback taken in the first round, going two spots after the Houston Texans chose Kevin Johnson out of Wake Forest. He fills an immediate need for the Chiefs, who face losing Sean Smith to a suspension for a drunken-driving arrest and were planning to have unproven cornerbacks Phillip Gaines and Jamell Fleming competing for the other starting job.

“Not only is it an important position from a defensive standpoint, but we also don’t have a lot of numbers there,” Reid said. “You take that also into consideration.”

Since arriving in Kansas City a few years ago, Reid and Dorsey have earned a reputation for their willingness to give players with checkered backgrounds a second chance.

Tight end Travis Kelce had been suspended at Cincinnati before the Chiefs chose him in the third round two years ago, while defensive back Sanders Commings had run into problems at Georgia before they picked him in the fifth round. Gaines was taken in the third round a year ago, despite an arrest for possession of marijuana that led to a suspension at Rice.

Reid said that each of those situations was unique and the fact that none of them have gotten into trouble since arriving in Kansas City proves the Chiefs had done their due diligence.

“As much times as you can spend with these guys, that’s what you want to do,” he said. “Then come out and let your instincts take over, how you feel about that player.”

Dorsey said that the Chiefs followed their mantra of taking “the best player available,” and that they received three calls from teams trying to move up and one to move down.

“We feel we got a really quality player,” said Dorsey, who estimates the Chiefs spoke with about 20 people about Peters. “I think it’s an example of us doing our extensive research in terms of what his person is all about. But as a player, there is no doubt in my mind.”

The Chiefs still have nine picks in this year’s draft to address a host of other needs, among them wide receiver, the offensive line and inside linebacker. Three of those picks come Friday — a second-rounder and two third-round picks, one of them a compensatory selection.

Dorsey may have even dropped a hint about the Chiefs’ plans going forward.

“Actually, we were just talking about that,” he said with a grin. “I was looking at the list of wide receivers and said, ‘Huh, there’s some still there.'”

— Associated Press —

Western goes 1-1 on day one of MIAA softball tournament

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Missouri Western softball team stayed alive in the MIAA Tournament, splitting on day one with a loss to Northwest Missouri State and a win over Fort Hays State. Missouri Western advances to play Emporia State on Friday at 11 a.m.

GAME 1: Northwest Missouri State 8, Missouri Western 1

The Griffon bats were kept quiet, managing just four hits and none until the sixth inning in an 8-1 loss to Northwest Missouri State.

Missouri Western scored their only run of the game in the sixth when Morgan Rathmann scored on a Sydney Washington triple. Rathmann’s hit was the first off Northwest’s Kendle Schieber. Janie Smith went five innings, allowing 13 hits and seven runs, three of them earned, with three walks and three strikeouts. Taylor Schaben went the final two innings, giving up two hits and one run.

Smith dropped to 16-10 on the year with the loss. Rathmann, Washington, Kailey Green and Katie Klosterman had the Griffons’ hits.

GAME 2: Missouri Western 8, Fort Hays State 0 (5 innings)

Missouri Western’s bats woke up in a big way in the second game. Missouri Western stole five bases and hit five doubles in the game to stay alive in the tournament.

Washington scored the first run in the first inning on a throwing error. Paige Shifflett drove in Gillaspy with a double in the third to put the Griffons up 2-0. Kailey Green made it 4-0 with a two-RBI home run to right in the third and Brooke Schaben’s sacrifice fly in the third made it a 6-0 Griffon lead. MWSU tacked on the final three in the fifth with Shelbie Atwell scoring on an error and Gillaspy driving in two with a single to center.

Janie Smith picked up the shutout, going all five innings and allowing just three hits. She walked one Tiger and did not pick up a strikeout. Gillaspy went 4-4 at the plate with two RBIs and Shifflett was 3-4 with an RBI.

Missouri Western sits 34-18 heading into day two of the tournament.

— MWSU Sports Information —