The Missouri Western softball team used the long ball extending their winning streak to 12 games defeating the Pittsburg State Gorillas 3-1 and 4-3 on Saturday afternoon. With the win in game one Jackie Bishop became the Griffons all-time leader in victories with 61. She passed Dana Wertz who had 60 career wins from 2004-2007. Also, the victory in game one was Coach Bagley’s 400th career victory. The Griffons are 24-8 overall and 8-2 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 3, PSU 1

In game on the Griffons got another strong pitching performance from Bishop as she went all seven innings giving up five hits while striking out 10. She improves to 12-3 on the season with the victory.

The two teams played scoreless softball until the top of the 5th inning when the Griffons scratched across two runs. The inning started with singles by Maegan Roemmich and Taylor Anding. Sarah Elliott hit a sacrifice fly scoring Roemmich from third and the Bre Fleschner singled in Anding giving MWSU the 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth the Gorillas cut the Griffon lead in half when Kreslee Ketcham led off the inning with a homer. The Griffons responded in the top of the 7th when Roemmich hit her fifth homer of the giving MWSU the 3-1 lead. Bishop got the Gorillas go down in order in the seventh for the victory.

The Griffons had eight hits with Fleschner and Roemmich both getting two. Roemmich scored two runs in the contest.

Kyndel Shelburn got the loss for PSU falling to 6-5 on the season. She went all seven giving up eight hits and three earned runs. PSU had five hits with Ketcham getting two.

Game 2
MWSU 4, PSU 3

In game two the Griffons got out of numerous jams stranding eight PSU runners on base which included the bases loaded in the fifth and sixth inning. Things started quick for the Griffons with Tiffany Gillaspy hitting her 6th homer of the season giving MWSU the 3-0 lead.

The Gorillas answered right back when Ketcham hit her second homer of the day cutting the MWSU lead to 3-2 after one. Things stayed that way until the top of the third when Keri Lorbert hit her 10th homer of the season giving MWSU the 4-2 lead.

The score remained 4-2 until the bottom of the 6th. PSU led off the inning with a homer to right field by McKenzie Rynard. Despite loading the bases relief pitcher Bishop struck out the side getting out of trouble.

In the bottom of the 7th Ketcham led off with a single and then Bishop struck out Tiffany Brown and got Rynard to hit into the double play dropping the Gorillas to 17-15 overall and 5-7 in MIAA play.

The Griffons had just five hits with Lorbert getting two. She is now two homer away from tying the career record. She had 35 and the career record is 37 held by Amy Beverly (2004-2007). Janie Smith improved to 12-3 going four innings giving up five hits and two earned runs while striking out five. Bishop picked up her third save of the season going three innings giving up six hits and striking out six.

The Gorillas had 11 hits with Jordan Bradshaw, Ketcham and Catie Cummins all getting two. Kylie Harpst fell to 3-3 going five innings giving up five hits and three earned runs.

The Griffons will return to action on Friday, April 5 when they travel to Hays, Kan. to take on the Fort Hays State Tigers in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western Head Football Coach Jerry Partridge has announced the addition of Joel Beard to fill the role of Quarterbacks Coach on his staff. Beard, who has been the Wide Receivers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at Southeast Missouri State since 2011, joins the staff after former Offensive Coordinator Tyler Fenwick was named Head Coach at Missouri S&T.

He has twelve years of coaching experience at Division I, II and III, as well as the high school level.

“We feel Coach Beard is the perfect fit for us,” Head Coach Jerry Partridge said. “He has had a diverse and successful offensive background.  He has a history with our scheme and we feel he will be able to step in very quickly.”

Beard was previously the Head Coach at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He was named to that position after working as the Dragons Offensive Coordinator for three seasons and Interim Head Coach for the final five games of the 2009 campaign.

A participant of the 2006 NCAA Football Coaches Academy, Beard was appointed Wide Receivers Coach at MSU Moorhead in March of 2007. He was promoted to Offensive Coordinator by the start of that season.

Prior to MSU Moorhead, Beard spent six seasons coaching at the high school level in the state of Wisconsin.

During his college days, Beard was a two-sport athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where he played football and basketball.  He lettered four years in basketball and was a member of two National Championship teams coached by current University of Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan.

On the gridirion, Beard played the quarterback position and established single-season passing records in attempts, completions and yards gained during his senior year.

Beard obtained a degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.  He and his wife, Sara have a daughter, Nyah.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s tennis team gave the Emporia State Hornets a competitive match but only picked up two points in a 7-2 loss in MIAA competition on Wednesday afternoon. The Griffons fall to 3-12 overall and 0-7 in MIAA competition.

In doubles matches the Griffons fell in a hard fought match at No. 2 doubles. Kayla Dysart and Alyssa Dougan fell 8-6 against Kayla Fraley and Alex Crowe. Denise Chiao and Meara Smith fell at No. 1 doubles 8-3 against Nicole Jara and Taylor Smith.

In singles action the Griffons picked up two points as Chiao won at No. 2 singles. After falling 6-2 in set one she responded nicely winning 6-2 and 6-1 in the second and third set taking the victory. At No. 4 singles Ceara Boldridge picked up a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Jennifer Gerhardt. Dysart fell in a heartbreaker in No. 3 singles. After winning the first set 6-4 she would fall 6-2 and 7-6 losing the match against Tiffany Khounsombath.

The Griffons return to action on Friday, March 29 against the Lindenwood Lions in St. Charles, Mo. Match time is set for 2:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team is currently on an eight game winning streak and moved into the National Fastpich Coaches Association (NFCA) Top-25 at 24th. They will try and keep the momentum going this weekend when they hit the road for a pair of MIAA doubleheaders.

The Griffons will be in Joplin, Mo. on Friday, March 29 for a doubleheader with Missouri Southern State University. Game times are set for 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. On Saturday, March 30 they will try an avenge an earlier loss against the Pittsburg State Gorillas in an MIAA doubleheader starting at 12:00 pm in Pittsburg, Kan.

After dropping their first two MIAA games MWSU has played well winning their last four MIAA games and last eight games in a row. Last weekend they had to cancel their MWSU Invite but were able to pick up four games. The Griffons defeated MIAA opponents Lincoln (8-3) and Emporia State (4-2) in non-conference action and then swept a doubleheader with NSIC opponent Northern State by scores of 11-6 and 15-1 in five innings.

Missouri Western is coming off a season where they made their sixth trip to the NCAA Tournament in the past eight years. They were 42-13 overall record and an 18-2 record in MIAA play giving them a second place finish in the standings. The Griffons are currently 20-8 overall and 4-2 in MIAA action.

— MWSU Sports Information —