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MWSU softball takes over first place with sweep of Pittsburg State

MWSUST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team took over soul possession of first place in the MIAA standings with a doubleheader sweep of Pittsburg State on Saturday. Seniors Shyanne Saladino and Janie Smith combined to allow just six Pittsburg State hits and one run in 17 innings. After the doubleheader, the two pitchers and infielder Emilie Laliberte were honored as part of Senior Day.

GAME 1: #18 MWSU 1, Pittsburg State 0 (10 innings)

With two down in the bottom of the 10th inning, Paige Shifflett drove the 11th pitch of her at bat to left field and Megan Korgie scored from second to take an absolute pitcher’s duel, 1-0.

The throw from left field beat Korgie to the plate, but the junior slid around the tag for the winning run. Shifflett was down 0-2then worked the count full before fouling off four-straight pitches before the walk-off single. Korgie was placed on second to begin the inning as part of International Tiebreaker rules. Rebekah Mueller struck out trying to bunt Korgie over. Morgan Rathmann then reached on an error before Shelbie Atwell fouled out to the third baseman to set up Shifflett’s at-bat.

Janie Smith was masterful, allowing just two hits in 10 innings. She struck out six and walked three, throwing 116 pitches compared to Emmie Robertson’s 180 for Pittsburg State. It was Smith’s seventh complete game shutout of the season. Robertson took a hard-luck loss, striking out 18 in nine and two-thirds. She allowed five hits in the game and walked four.

Shifflett had two of the Griffons’ hits and drove in the only run.

GAME 2: #18 MWSU 7, Pittsburg State 1

Shyanne Saladino worked a no-hitter for five and a third before surrendering her first hit on an infield single with one down in the sixth. Her offense helped her out, scoring three in the second and four in the sixth.

Saladino improved to 16-3 with the win. She ended up allowing four hits and one run while striking out five. Morgan Rathmann was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Shelbie Atwell went 2-4 with two RBIs and Katie Klosterman was 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Klosterman reached first in all but one at-bat on the day, going 3-4 with three walks.

The win improved Missouri Western to 34-10 on the season, 19-3 in the MIAA and gave the Griffons a two-game lead over the Gorillas and Northwest Missouri State in the conference standings. Missouri Western hosts Northwest Missouri for a non-conference doubleheader Thursday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons outlast Central Oklahoma 22-21 in 10 innings

riggertMissouriWesternEDMOND, Okla. – The Missouri Western baseball team outlasted Central Oklahoma in 10 innings on Saturday for a 22-21 win in game two of a three-game series. The two teams combined for 14 home runs, including a record-tying six by Missouri Western.

Jeremy Alvarado, Kody Matthews and Brandon Downs hit two home runs apiece in the game. Alvarado’s three-run shot in the ninth brought Missouri Western within one and brought in the fifth of what would be an eight-run inning for the Griffons to take the lead. Central Oklahoma scored eight in the bottom of the eighth to take an 18-13 lead. Missouri Western answered with the eight in the ninth to take a 21-18 lead, but Central Oklahoma scored three in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Alvarado’s seventh RBI of the game on a single in the 10th proved to be the game winner.

Between the two teams, 17 pitchers were used. Central Oklahoma used four different pitchers in the ninth inning alone. Weston Caindec picked up the win for Missouri Western as one of three Griffon pitchers to go more than one inning. Caindec was the only Griffon pitcher to not allow a run. He went the final inning and two thirds, allowing three hits and striking out four.

Four Griffons had three hits or more. Matthews was 5-6 with five RBIs and four runs scored. Alvarado was 3-5 with seven RBIs and two runs scored. Landon Mason, Orencio Fisher and Downs also had three hits apiece.

Missouri Western (23-11, 15-8) looks to complete the sweep Sunday.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri Western sweeps Southern, now tied for first in MIAA

MWSUST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team swept its third-straight doubleheader over Missouri Southern on Friday, setting up a showdown for first place in the MIAA on Saturday.

The Griffons run-ruled Missouri Southern in both games and Northwest Missouri State’s sweep of Pittsburg State, made Saturday’s doubleheader for sole possession of the top spot in the conference standings. Pittsburg State has lost three of its last four to tie them with the Griffons at 17-3 in league play. Saturday will also be senior day as the team will honor Emilie Laliberte, Shyanne Saladino and Janie Smith after the doubleheader is complete .

GAME 1: #18 MWSU 10, Missouri Southern 2 (6 innings)

Missouri Western picked up its fifth straight win on Sydney Washington’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth.

The Griffons scored six in the second to break a 1-1 tie and take control of the game. The inning was highlighted by Kailey Green’s 12th home run of the season, a three-run shot down the left field line. Green finished game one, 2-3. Paige Shifflett was 3-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Morgan Rathmann was 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Shelbie Atwell was 2-3 with one RBI and a run scored.

Janie Smith picked up the win, moving to 17-7 on the season. Smith allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four.

GAME 2: #18 MWSU 10, Missouri Southern 1 (5 innings)

Missouri Western exploded for five runs in the first, capped by a grand slam by Katie Klosterman and never looked back.

After another run in the second, the Griffons put up a four spot in the third, thanks in large part to some creative base running and a couple wild pitches. Megan Korgie, Sydney Washington and Morgan Rathmann all stole bases in the inning. Washington stole home in the inning. Rathmann’s stole two bases in the game, moving her eight away from the career record at Missouri Western.

Shyanne Saladino limited Missouri Southern to one hit over the first three innings. Janie Smith entered in relief and pitched the final two innings, giving up two hits and one run. Saladino got the win, improving to 15-3 overall.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons use seven-run eighth inning to rally past Central Oklahoma

riggertMissouriWesternEDMOND, Okla. – The Missouri Western baseball team did it again Friday in Edmond, scoring seven runs in the eighth inning to take game one at Central Oklahoma, 10-9.

Down 9-3 heading to the eighth, David Glaude tied it with his second home run of the game, a three-run shot to right. Then Jeremy Alvarado gave Missouri Western the lead with his second double of the game. The first three batters reached in the inning for Missouri Western. After Brandon Downs struck out, Landon Mason drove in two with a single to right. Orencio Fisher followed with a double to left that drove in one and set up Glaude’s game-tying home run.

Chris Estrada held UCO without a hit in the bottom of the eighth, allowing one base runner on a walk. Conner Schwienebart  allowed a two-out base hit to put the tying run on in the ninth, but forced a groundout to preserve the win.

The Griffons (22-11, 14-8) and the Bronchos (20-13, 12-10) are scheduled to play game two, Saturday at 1 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

MWSU women’s tennis takes down Washburn 6-3

riggertMissouriWesternST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s tennis team has now won two straight conference matches, beating Washburn 6-3 on Thursday afternoon.

The Griffons received strong contributions from their No. 1 to No. 4 spot in the dual match. Yasmine El Ghazi won her match 6-3, 7-6 in the No. 1 spot. She is now 4-1 when playing in the No. 1 position. In the No. 3 spot Sofia Aguilera cruised to a 7-5, 6-0 victory in her match. Joanna Abreu Roman remained undefeated in dual matches this year, winning her match 6-2, 7-6.

In the doubles matches, Western claimed victories in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. El Ghazi and Aguilera won 9-8 in the No. 1 spot. The No.2 competition featured Sarah Giraldo and Abreu Roman, winning 8-6. They are now 7-2 in doubles play together.

Singles competition
1. El Ghazi, Yasmine (MWSU) def. Shkembi,Laura (WU) 6-3, 7-6
2. Giraldo, Sarah (MWSU) def. Blackim,Jodie (WU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Aguilera, Sofia (MWSU) def. Plum,Maggie (WU) 7-5, 6-0
4. Abreu Roman, Joanna (MWSU) def. Krause,Jennifer (WU) 6-2, 7-6
5. Johnston,Holly (WU) def. Smith, Meara (MWSU) 7-6, 3-6, 10-7
6. Shepler,Gwen (WU) def. Beger, Lindsay (MWSU) 6-1, 3-6, 10-7

Doubles competition
1. Aguilera, Sofia/El Ghazi, Yasmine (MWSU) def. Blackim,Jodie/Burr,Ally (WU) 9-8
2. Abreu Roman, Joanna/Giraldo, Sarah (MWSU) def. Plum,Maggie/Shepler,Gwen (WU) 8-6
3. Gonzales,MaKenna/Shkembi,Laura (WU) def. Beger, Lindsay/Chiao, Denise (MWSU) 8-5

The Griffons are scheduled to host Central Oklahoma on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. at the Noyes Tennis Courts.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri Western moves up to No. 18 in the latest NFCA softball top 25 poll

riggertMissouriWesternST. JOSEPH – After sweeping two doubleheaders over the weekend, the Missouri Western softball team is up four spots to No. 18 in the NFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll.

The Griffons are 30-10 overall this season and 15-3 in the MIAA.  They are second behind Pittsburg State in the league standings.

Western has won four in a row and 13 of its last 16 games.  In six games last week, the team went 5-1 and hit 16 home runs.  Six came from freshman Taylor Hamilton, who was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week.

After a Friday doubleheader with Missouri Southern, the Griffons host Pittsburg State this Saturday at noon. It will be senior day for Missouri Western as Janie Smith, Shyanne Saladino and Emilie Laliberte play their last home MIAA doubleheader.

Northwest Missouri State will visit Missouri Western next week for a non-conference doubleheader before the team closes the regular season with trips to Washburn and Emporia State. The MIAA Tournament will begin April 28. The tournament will be played in Oklahoma City this year.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons get run-ruled by No. 11 Emporia State for third straight loss

riggertMissouriWesternST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western baseball team dropped its third-straight game, 12-2 in seven innings to No. 11 Emporia State on Tuesday. The Griffons still claimed the season series with the Hornets, two games to one.

Defending MIAA Pitcher of the Week Richard Peoples was roughed up for seven runs on nine hits in three and a third innings. Peoples gave up six doubles and walked two while striking out one. Missouri Western had a 2-1 lead after three, but six Emporia State runs in the top of the fourth blew the game wide open. Weston Caindec entered in the fourth and gave up five more runs, just two earned in the final three and two thirds. The Missouri Western defense didn’t help its pitchers, committing four errors in the game.

Landon Mason extended his hitting streak to 16 games, going 3-4 at the plate with a run scored. Jeremy Alvarado was 2-3 at the plate, scoring the Griffons other run.

The Griffons (21-11, 13-8) now begin a long road swing that starts at Central Oklahoma for three games beginning April 8. The team will play seven-straight on the road before returning home for four-straight on April 19.

— MWSU Athletics —

Western golf teams finish third, eighth at HSU Southern Bancorp Invite

riggertMissouriWesternMOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – Missouri Western Women’s Golf finished in third place at the Southern Bancorp Invitational, scoring a 638 in the two round tournament. Its Missouri Western’s fourth top-five finish as a team on the year. The tournament is being played on the Big Creek Country Club, measuring at a 5,892 yards – Par 72.

Shi Qing Ong finished the tournament with a 153 and finished in sole possession of fifth place individually. Ong now has four top-five finishes this year in eight events.  Madison Romjue also had a solid weekend, scoring a 155 over the two rounds of golf. She finished in eight place for the tournament. Sophomore Celine Lim finished tied for 23rd with a 162.

The Griffons finished behind Central Oklahoma for second place and the team champion was Arkansas Tech with a team score of 598.

Caroline Fredensborg of Arkansas Tech won the individual title with a 142 score.

The Griffons will be back in action next weekend in Springfield, Missouri as they will play at the Rivercut Golf Course.

The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished in eighth place at the HSU Southern Bancorp Invitational with a team score of 637 over the two rounds of golf. The tournament was played at the Big Creek Country Club, measuring 7,235 yards – Par 72.

Ryan Hand recorded his third top-10 finish of the year, firing a 150 during the tournament. He finished tied for seventh individually in the tournament. Jakob Rudosky was tied for 30th in the individual standings, reporting a 160 in his two rounds of golf. Senior Corey Knight finished with a 161 and in 32nd place.

MWSU finished eight strokes behind Southwest Baptist for seventh place and 10 strokes behind John Brown for sixth place. Host Henderson State won the tournament, scoring a 583 team score.

Mauricio Lira of Henderson State finished with a score of 141 to win the individual title.

The Griffons are back in action next weekend, traveling to Southwest Baptist and playing at the Sioloridge Golf Course starting on Monday, April 11th.

— MWSU Athletics —

MWSU’s Hamilton named MIAA softball Hitter of the Week

MWSUST. JOSEPH – An unforgettable week for Missouri Western softball player Taylor Hamilton has earned the freshman designated player MIAA Hitter of the Week honors.

The Cameron native slugged six home runs last week and hit .522 while piling up 17 RBIs as her team went 5-1. She hit walk-off home runs in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader with Fort Hays State. She had two, two-home run games on the week and started two back-to-back-to-back home run performances for the Griffons.

On Tuesday at Northwest Missouri State, Hamilton kicked off the first of three straight home runs that erased a five-run deficit with two out in the top of the seventh. She kicked off another three-straight home run rally in the fifth inning of game two against Fort Hays State. Her seven RBIs in that game tied a Missouri Western record set by Shelbie Atwell earlier this year. Hamilton slugged 1.348 on the week with 12 hits and 31 total bases. She also scored seven runs for the Griffons.

On the season, Hamilton is batting .372 with nine home runs and a team-high 45 RBIs. She’s also drawn a team-high 21 walks.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffon golf teams wrap up first day at Southern Bancorp Invite in Arkansas

riggertMissouriWesternMOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – The Missouri Western men’s and women’s golf teams finished the first day of the Southern Bancorp Invitational on Monday afternoon. The event is being played at the Big Creek Country Club.

Men’s Recap – Played from Black Tees. Course measured 7,235 yards – Par 72

Missouri Western Men’s Golf team currently sits fifth in the standings, shooting a 308 team score after one round of golf.

Ryan Hand fired a 73 after his first round of golf and currently sits tied for seventh in the individual standings. The Griffons also received a solid effort from Corey Knight as he shot a 75 in his first round, tying him for 12th. Jakob Rudosky scored a 77 in his first round.

MWSU is four strokes behind Southwest Baptist for fourth place and trail Lewis by 11 strokes for third place. Henderson State leads the tournament, firing a 285 team score.
Wess Webb of Henderson State scored a 68 in his first round of golf and leads the individual standings.

Women’s Recap – Played from Gold Tees. Course measured 5,892 yards – Par 72

Missouri Western Women’s Golf team scored a 316 team score in the first round of the Southern Bancorp Invitational, sitting in third place in the standings.

Shi Qing Ong and Madison Romjue were effective for the Griffons, each firing a 76 in the opening round of the tournament. They both sit tied for fourth place individually. Celine Lim had a 79 in her first round of competition.

The Griffons are seven strokes behind Central Oklahoma and trail Arkansas Tech by 20 strokes for first place. Missouri Western is one stroke ahead of Henderson State for third place.

Caroline Fredensburg scored a 70 in the opening round and sits in first place individually.

The second round of the tournament will continue tomorrow at the Big Creek Country Club.

— MWSU Athletics —

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