OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Missouri Western softball team started the MIAA Tournament with two hard-fought, low-scoring victories to move on to the semifinals in defense of the team’s regular season championship.

Missouri Western will face Central Oklahoma at 1:30 on Friday. The game was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., but forecasted storms have forced the MIAA to re-schedule Friday games.  The game will be broadcast on ESPN 1550 AM.

GAME 1: MWSU 2, Southwest Baptist 1

Paige Shifflett delivered what proved to be the game winning hit in the sixth, with an RBI single to right center that scored Morgan Rathmann from second base.

With one down in the inning, Rathmann singled up the middle then stole second with Shelbie Atwell batting. Atwell struck out which set up Shifflett’s single on the ninth pitch of the at bat. Missouri Western got on the board in the first on an unearned run scored by Atwell. Shifflett was caught stealing second, then a throw to try to catch Atwell off the bag at third went wide and allowed the shortstop to score.

Southwest Baptist scored its run in the fifth on a bases loaded hit by pitch. Shyanne Saladino danced around trouble throughout the game, but managed to limit the Bearcats’ scoring opportunities. The senior picked up her 20th win of the season, allowing eight hits. She struck out three and walked two while hitting two batters. Shifflett went 2-3 at the plate and was the only Griffon with more than one hit in the game.

GAME 2: MWSU 1, Pittsburg State 0 (9 innings)

Freshman Taylor Hamilton ended the game with a leadoff walk-off home run to left center in the bottom of the ninth. It was just the third hit of the game for the Griffons off MIAA Pitcher of the Year Emmie Robertson. Hamilton had two of the Griffons’ three hits on the night. Kailey Green collected the other, a double.

Janie Smith did her best to match Robertson’s performance, earning her eighth complete game shutout of the season. Smith didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and limited the Gorillas to five in the game. She struck out five and walked four. The senior got a tremendous effort from her defense as Missouri Western a pair of crucial double plays and committed just one error.

— MWSU Athletics —

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Missouri Western Baseball dropped the opening game of a three-game series against Central Missouri, 11-10.

Central Missouri used a three-run ninth inning to propel themselves past the Griffons on Thursday night. The Mules were able to able to collect five straight hits in the inning, including four singles and a double.

The Griffons were able to accumulate four runs in the first inning. Nick Gawley recorded a 2-run RBI single while Jeremy Alvarado and Brandon Downs each had an RBI in the opening inning. UCM was able to score seven unanswered runs before the Griffons scored again.

Offensively, MWSU scored three more runs in both the top of the fifth and eighth innings.  The Griffons scored two unearned runs in the fifth inning and one more in the eighth inning.

Landon Mason, Orencio Fisher, and David Glaude each produced two hits in the game. Four others recorded one hit for the Griffons. Glaude tallied a team-high three RBIs in the game and Fisher scored three times.

Richard Peoples got the start for the Griffons and allowed nine hits in 3.1 innings of work. David Anderson pitched 3.2 innings and gave up three hits while facing 15 batters.

The Griffons and Mules are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Friday, starting at 2 p.m. in Warrensburg.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – After the program’s second MIAA Championship, nine members of the Missouri Western Softball team were named All-MIAA, Katie Klosterman was named MIAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Jen Bagley Trotter was named MIAA Coach of the Year. The nine selections were the most for the program since a record, 11, in 2012, and are the second most ever for the program.

COACH OF THE YEAR – Jen Bagley Trotter
Trotter claimed her fourth MIAA Coach of the Year honor after leading the program to a 39-11 overall record and a 23-3 mark in MIAA play. The 23 conference wins were the most ever for the program. This season marked the 10th time Trotter has led the Griffons to a 30-win season. On Feb. 28, Trotter picked up her 500th career victory, all with Missouri Western. She’s now 529-307 in 15 seasons as head coach at Missouri Western.

CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR & FIRST TEAM ALL-MIAA – Katie Klosterman (Third Base)
Klosterman was named first team All-MIAA for the first time in her career after finishing the regular season with a .364 batting average – second on the team – and a .972 fielding percentage at third base. The junior committed just three errors at the hot corner and recorded 27 putouts and 78 assists. Klosterman was second on the team with 10 home runs and 13 doubles. She was one of three Griffons named MIAA Hitter of the Week this season and was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection in both 2015 and 2014.

FIRST TEAM ALL-MIAA – Morgan Rathmann (Outfield)
Rathmann earned her third All-MIAA honor and first, first team selection. The junior outfielder led the team through the regular season with a .399 batting average. She led the MIAA and ranks third nationally with nine triples, which tied a career-high. Her 21 career triples are most in MWSU history. Rathmann also ranked sixth in the MIAA with 23 stolen bases and currently ranks third all-time at MWSU with 74 stolen bases.

SECOND TEAM ALL-MIAA – Janie Smith (Pitcher) and Taylor Hamilton (Designated Player)
Smith was named to the second team for the second straight year, her third All-MIAA selection overall. The senior pitcher led the team with 20 wins, 188.2 innings and 128 strikeouts. Her 20 wins were a career-high and were tied for second most in the MIAA this season. Smith finished the regular season with seven complete game shutouts.

Hamilton broke out in a big way, leading her team with 48 RBIs. The Cameron native batted .348 and slugged .594 with 11 doubles and nine home runs. She was one of three Griffons named MIAA Hitter of the Week after hitting six home runs over a crucial stretch of six MIAA games.

HONORABLE MENTION ALL-MIAA – Shelbie Atwell (Shortstop), Kailey Green (First Base), Shyanne Saladino (Pitcher), Paige Shifflett (Second Base) and Sydney Washington (Outfield)
Atwell picked up her first All-MIAA honor after batting .337 for the Griffons. The sophomore hit 12 doubles a triple and two home runs. Both of Atwell’s home runs were grand slams, including one in her first at bat of the season. Atwell broke an MWSU record with six RBIs in a game against Central Missouri this season that was later tied by Taylor Hamilton.

Green also picked up her first All-MIAA honor. The junior led Missouri Western with 14 home runs and batted .348. Her 14 home runs so far this season are tied for fourth most in MWSU history. Green was second on the team with 40 RBIs and drew a team-high 25 walks.

Saladino was also a first time All-MIAA selection. The senior led the team with a 2.13 ERA. She struck out 89 batters and held opponents to a .239 average. Saladino went 19-3 in 22 appearances, pitching 154.1 innings.

Shifflett picked up her second All-MIAA honor in her second season with the Griffons. The sophomore was a second team designated player in 2015. She transitioned well to second base this year, batting .317 with 27 RBIs, a team-high 16 doubles and five home runs. She also fielded at a .931 clip in her first season at second base.

Washington returned to the All-MIAA team after being named honorable mention as a freshman. The junior was the most recent Griffon named MIAA Hitter of the Week, batting .313 on the year with 35 RBIs, eight home runs and five doubles.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – More good news continues to roll in for the Missouri Western Women’s Golf team as three Griffons have been named All-MIAA, including Freshman of the Year Shi Qing Ong.

Ong was named first team All-MIAA and becomes the program’s first Freshman of the Year winner since Natalie Bird in 2010. Ong did not finish below 13th in any of her 10 events this season. She had five top-10 finishes and averaged a 76.6 per round.

Madison Romjue and Celine Lim were named honorable mention All-MIAA. It’s the second All-MIAA honor for both. Lim was a second team selection last year as a freshman. This year, Lim had one top 10 finish and averaged 80.2 per round. Romjue was also an honorable mention selection in 2015. She had two top-10 finishes this season with a fifth place finish at the Lindenwood Fall Invitational and averaged an 80.4 per round.

The team will make its first ever appearance at the NCAA Division II Central Regional May 2-4 at Awarii Dunes Golf Course in Axtell, Nebraska.

First Team All-MIAA
Baylee Price, Northeastern State *Golfer of the Year
Marla Souvannasing, Central Oklahoma
Shi Qing Ong, Missouri Western *Freshman of the Year
Dani Martinez, Central Oklahoma
Ebba Moberg, Northeastern State

Second Team All-MIAA
Madelyn Piccininni, Lindenwood
Charter Lawson, Northeastern State
Grace Shin, Central Oklahoma
Kelsey Lumpkin, Northeastern State
Elizabeth Leath, Central Missouri
Dakota Limkemann, Lindenwood
*= Six Players due to a tie in the voting

Honorable Mention: Taelyn Entriken, Central Missouri, Yolanda Rotzinger, Lindenwood, Celine Lim, Missouri Western, Madison Romjue, Missouri Western, Ana Summers, Nebraska-Kearney, Kaleigh Ashen, Northwest Missouri.

MIAA Coach of the Year: Scott Varner, Northeastern State

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The No. 23 Missouri Western baseball team has claimed MIAA Hitter of the Week honors for the third consecutive week. Nick Gawley claimed Co-Hitter of the Week honors, Tuesday, after David Glaude received the distinction two weeks in a row.

A junior outfielder, Gawley batted .529 through four games last week with 12 RBIs. He began the week with a 4-for-4, seven-RBI performance against Northwest Missouri State. He went 9-for-15 at the plate with five extra base hits and five runs scored. Gawley also swiped two bases and recorded 10 putouts in center field.

Missouri Western went 3-1 in the games, with a run-rule victory over Northwest Missouri State and two wins of three games with Nebraska-Kearney.

— MWSU Athletics —

INDIANAPOLIS – Missouri Western Women’s Golf will make its first ever trip to an NCAA Central Super Regional competition. The Griffons were picked eighth out of 12 teams selected. They will play May 2-4 at the Awarii Dunes Golf Course in Axtell, Nebraska, hosted by Nebraska-Kearney.

The Griffons finished fourth in the MIAA Championships last week. The field features five MIAA teams including Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, and Central Missouri.

Missouri Western has been led by freshman Shi Qing Ong as she has finished in the top five of four events. The Griffons have also received solid play from Celine Lim, Madison Romjue and Callie Wilson.

The NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship will be held May 18-21 at the CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora, Colo. as a part of the 2016 NCAA Division II Championships Festival. The top three teams and top three individuals not with a team from each super regional will make up championship field.

Central Region Teams:
1. Northeastern State
2. Augustana (S.D.)
3. Central Oklahoma
4. Arkansas Tech
5. Lindenwood
6. Henderson State
7. Southwestern Oklahoma State
8. Missouri Western
9. Concordia-St. Paul
10. Minnesota State-Mankato
11. Upper Iowa
12. Central Missouri

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The 23rd-ranked Missouri Western baseball team won 8-2 on Sunday to claim a three-game series with Nebraska-Kearney, two games to one. It was the Griffons’ 10th win in their last 11 games and improved the team’s record to 31-12 overall and 23-9 in the MIAA.

After each team scored a run in the first, Missouri Western broke the tie in the fourth with two runs. Cosimo Cannella put the team up 2-1with an RBI double then scored the team’s third run on an error in the fourth. The Griffons added another in the sixth on a Jeremy Alvarado home run off the left field foul pole. It was Alvarado’s 13th home run of the season. After another run in the seventh, the Griffons added three more in the eighth to increase the cushion.

David Glaude went 4-5 on the day with three RBIs and two runs scored. Nick Gawley, Cannella, Kody Matthews and Ozzie Rodriguez all had two hits each. Alex Clavet picked up the win on the mound to improve to 5-1 on the year. Clavet went six and a third, surrendering the Lopers’ two runs on five hits. He struck out six and walked two. Preston Bailey picked up an unorthodox save, his fourth of the year. He went the final two and two-thirds after entering with just a two-run lead. Bailey didn’t allow a hit while striking out four and walking one.

Missouri Western’s win and a Central Missouri loss moved the Griffons within two games of the first place Mules. MWSU is one game behind second place Washburn.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – After an important win to close the regular season Sunday, it’s on to the postseason for the Missouri Western tennis team, which earned the No. six seed in the MIAA Tournament with a 5-4 victory over Lindenwood.

Missouri Western will open the MIAA Tennis Tournament on Friday, April 29 at noon against third seeded Nebraska-Kearney. UNK took the regular season matchup, 7-2, on March 29. All MIAA Tournament play will be held at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Missouri. The Griffons’ win in the regular season finale helped them avoid a first round matchup with second seeded Southwest Baptist, which defeated Missouri Western 9-0 on April 15.

In head coach Shawn Becker’s first season at Missouri Western, he led the team to a 10-5 overall record and a 5-5 record in MIAA play.

— MWSU Athletics —

EMPORIA, Kan. – The No. 15 Missouri Western softball team capped an MIAA championship season with a doubleheader sweep of Emporia State Saturday, winning 7-3 and 2-1 to finish the regular season 39-11 overall and 23-3 in the MIAA.

Game 1: #15 MWSU 7, Emporia State 3

Janie Smith held off an attempt at a two-out, seventh inning rally to win her 20th game of the season, a new season-high for the senior.

Smith had limited Emporia State to four hits, never more than one in an inning and retired the first two batters in the bottom of the seventh. The next four Hornets reached, scoring three runs before Smith forced a pop up to end the game. She allowed the three runs on seven hits, struck out one and walked two. Her defense did not commit an error behind her.

Megan Korgie put the Griffons up 2-0 in the second with a line drive single to right that popped out of the diving right fielder’s glove to allow two runs to score. Kailey Green made it 3-0 in the fifth with a sacrifice fly that drove in Morgan Rathmann. The Griffons tacked on four more in the sixth. Rathmann started the scoring in the sixth with an RBI single. Two batters later, Shelbie Atwell drove in two more with a single. A Paige Shifflett double drove in Atwell for Missouri Western’s seventh and final run.

Rathmann was 3-4 on the day with an RBI and two runs scored. Sydney Washington also scored twice and went 2-2 at the plate. Atwell was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Game 2: #15 MWSU 2, Emporia State 1

Shyanne Saladino limited Emporia State to just one run on five hits and got enough from her offense to complete the sweep.

Saladino went the distance, giving up the five hits while striking out one and walking one. Emporia State scored its only run in the bottom of the second. Missouri Western answered in the top of the third with Shelbie Atwell drove in Rathmann with a double to left center. Kailey Green put the Griffons up for good in the fourth with the only home run of the day and her 14th on the season.

Rathmann added three more hits in game two, going 3-4 with a run scored. No other Griffon had more than one hit.

Missouri Western is the top seed in the MIAA Tournament and will play No. 8 seed Southwest Baptist Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in the first round.  The Tournament will be play at ASA Hall of Fame Softball Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this season.  All games games be will be broadcast live on ESPN 1550 or 680 KFEQ.

— MWSU Athletics —