Missouri Western softball had two players named to All-American teams which were released Wednesday. Pitcher, Jackie Bishop was selected to the first team by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and second team by Daktronics while Tiffany Gillaspy earned third team All-American honors from Daktronics at first base.

Bishop is completed one of the most successful playing careers in Missouri Western softball history. This marks the first time in her career being named first team All-American. She was a first team selection by the NFCA and a second team selection by Daktronics. The Kirksville, Mo., native is a four-time First Team All-MIAA selection, two time MIAA Pitcher of the Year (2012-2014), four-time First Team All-Region recipient and an second team All-American selection in 2012. Bishop was also the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2011. Bishop holds MWSU softball career records for wins (96), strikeouts (977), innings pitched (828.0), appearances (142) complete games (105) and shutouts (29). Additionally the two-time MIAA Pitcher of the Year holds MWSU single-season records for strikeouts (291) and shutouts (12) and is an integral member of a senior class that went 159-62 in its time dawning the Black and Gold. This season, the right-handed pitcher finished with a 26-10 overall record with a 1.36 ERA. The 26 wins is the most she had in a single season. She finished leading the MIAA with 291 strikeouts. She pitched 31 complete games with 12 shutouts and two saves this season. She gave up just 4.4 hits per games while striking out 8.3 per game. She threw three no-hitters this season and four in her career. She was named the MIAA AstroTurf Pitcher of the Week four times this season and 11 times in her career.

Gillaspy topped off an impressive junior campaign being named third team All-American by Daktronics as well first team All-Region by Daktronics and the NFCA. She was a first team All-MIAA selection for the first time in her career. Gillaspy a two-time MIAA AstroTurf Hitter of the Week finished her season getting a hit in 23 of her last 25 games and had an 19 game hitting streak during that run. She also hit safely in 45 of the Griffons 57 games this season. She finished the season leading the Griffons and was in the top-10 in the MIAA in batting average (.390), hits (73), doubles (13), home runs (13), RBI (60), total bases (125) and slugging percentage (.668). Gillaspy was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection a in 2013. She had double digit hits in 21 games including going 4-for-4 against Central Missouri on March 14. She has also had five RBI in a game three times and hit two home runs and a double against Lincoln on April 12. On the final day of the season she went 4-for-7 with two runs scored, four RBI a double and a home run in the NCAA Central Regional.

The Griffons finished their season 39-18 overall and won their first ever MIAA Tournament Championship going 4-0 and outscoring their opponents 41-9. They Griffons have won 30+ games in four straight seasons.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western junior outfielder Ryan Degner has been named to the First Team All-Central Region by Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association which was released on Saturday morning.

Each member of the First Team will be eligible for NCAA DIVISION II All-American consideration, which will be selected on Sunday, May 25, 2014 in Cary, NC in conjunction with the Division II National Championship Tournament.  The “Player of the Year” and the “Pitcher of the Year” in the Central region is guaranteed a spot on one of the three “All-American Teams” selected in Cary.

Degner led the Griffons in almost all offensive categories hitting a team high .383 and finishing the season the season getting a hit in 11 of his last 12 games. He led the team in hits (74), runs scored (46), doubles (16), total bases (124), slugging percentage (.642), on base percentage (.448), stolen bases (19) and RBI (49).

Degner was second on the team with 10 home runs and had a hit in 41 of the Griffons 52 games this season which includes getting four hits in a game three times. He had a season best six RBI against the Northeastern State RiverHawks. He was also named to the second team All-MIAA.

The Griffons finished the season 32-20 overall and 24-14 in the MIAA. They made it to the MIAA Tournament Championship game for the second straight season.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western softball players Jackie Bishop and Tiffany Gillaspy have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Central Region First team which was released Thursday afternoon. his year’s squads are comprised of 207 players from 102 schools across eight NFCA regions with first and second teams selected for each region. Both players were also named to the Daktronics First Team All-Region squad earlier this week with Bishop being named Daktronics Central Region Pitcher of the Year.

Bishop is completed one of the most successful playing careers in Missouri Western softball history. The Kirksville, Mo., native is a four-time First Team All-MIAA selection, two time MIAA Pitcher of the Year (2012-2014), four-time First Team All-Region recipient and an All-American selection in 2012. Bishop was also the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2011. Bishop holds MWSU softball career records for wins (96), strikeouts (977), innings pitched (828.0), appearances (142) complete games (105) and shutouts (29). Additionally the two-time MIAA Pitcher of the Year holds MWSU single-season records for strikeouts (291) and shutouts (12) and is an integral member of a senior class that went 159-62 in its time dawning the Black and Gold. This season, the right-handed pitcher finished with a 26-10 overall record with a 1.36 ERA. The 26 wins is the most she had in a single season. She finished leading the MIAA with 291 strikeouts. She pitched 31 complete games with 12 shutouts and two saves this season. She gave up just 4.4 hits per games while striking out 8.3 per game. She threw three no-hitters this season and four in her career. She was named the MIAA AstroTurf Pitcher of the Week four times this season and 11 times in her career.

Gillaspy topped off an impressive junior campaign being named first team All-Region and first team All-MIAA for the first time in her career. Gillaspy a two-time MIAA AstroTurf Hitter of the Week finished her season getting a hit in 23 of her last 25 games and had an 19 game hitting streak during that run. She also hit safely in 45 of the Griffons 57 games this season. She finished the season leading the Griffons and was in the top-10 in the MIAA in batting average (.390), hits (73), doubles (13), home runs (13), RBI (60), total bases (125) and slugging percentage (.668). Gillaspy was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection a in 2013. She had double digit hits in 21 games including going 4-for-4 against Central Missouri on March 14. She has also had five RBI in a game three times and hit two home runs and a double against Lincoln on April 12. On the final day of the season she went 4-for-7 with two runs scored, four RBI a double and a home run in the NCAA Central Regional.

The Griffons finished their season 39-18 overall and won their first ever MIAA Tournament Championship going 4-0 and outscoring their opponents 41-9. They Griffons have won 30+ games in four straight seasons.

NFCA member coaches in the eight regions selected this year’s All-Region teams and all honorees now become eligible for selection to one of three NFCA Division II All-American squads to be announced the night of Wed., May 21.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Six Missouri Western baseball players were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll which was released Thursday morning by the league office. Of those six students, one have earned the MIAA Scholar Athlete Award.

To achieve honor roll status, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The Griffons athletes that received this honor are, Jerico Burasco, Kyle Kelly, Dylan Koch, Mason Queen, Andy Rieth and Dylan Roades.

The MIAA Scholar Athlete Award is given to those who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50, have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms, and, if competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, earn All-MIAA honors. The two student-athlete that earned this honor for MWSU is Dylan Koch.

Newcomers and MIAA Academic Excellence Awards will be given out following the end of the 2013-14 school year.

— MWSU Sports Information —

With the finalization of road game times, the 2014 Griffon Football is complete. The 11 game schedule features seven teams with winning records from a season ago including two teams with double digit wins (Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State). The combined record of Griffon opponents was 71-50.

The season begins with the first of five home games as Central Missouri comes to Spratt Stadium on Thursday, September 4 with game time set for 7 PM.

A return to national television is set for Thursday, September 25 as the Griffons will play their first ever meeting with Lindenwood in St. Charles, Missouri as part of the CBS Sports Network Division II Game of the Week package. It’s the second appearance for the Griffons as part on CBS Sports Network with the previous appearance coming at Washburn during the 2011 season and marks the twelfth TV appearance in the Jerry Partridge era.

In addition to the home opener, other regular season Spratt Stadium appearances include; Family Day on Saturday, September 20 against Northeastern State, the Hall of Fame Game on October 4 against Pittsburg State, Homecoming on October 25 against Emporia State and Senior Day against Nebraska-Kearney on November 8.

Another marquee date on the schedule is Saturday, November 1 as the Griffons renew the rivalry with Northwest Missouri State at Bearcat Stadium in Maryville with kickoff set for 1 PM.

The season culminates with the NCAA Division II Football National Championship Game on Saturday, December 20 which moves from its longtime home in Florence, Alabama to Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas hosted by the MIAA.

As the MIAA Television Network has yet to release their television schedule, game times are subject to change.

Season tickets are on sale now by calling 816-271-5904 or log on to gogriffons.com. Single game tickets will go on sale mid-summer.

2014 GRIFFON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Thur. 9/4 CENTRAL MISSOURI 7:00 PM
Sat. 9/13 at Central Oklahoma 6:00 PM
Sat. 9/20 NORTHEASTERN STATE 6:00 PM
Thur. 9/25 at Lindenwood 7:00 PM CBS SPORTS NETWORK
Sat. 10/4 PITTSBURG STATE 6:00 PM
Sat. 10/11 at Fort Hays State 7:00 PM
Sat. 10/18 at Washburn 1:00 PM
Sat. 10/25 EMPORIA STATE 1:30 PM
Sat. 11/1 at Northwest Missouri State 1:00 PM
Sat. 11/8 NEBRASKA-KEARNEY 1:30 PM
Sat. 11/15 at Missouri Southern 1:00 PM

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western softball players Jackie Biship and Tiffany Gillaspy have been named to the Daktronics Central Region First team which was released Monday afternoon. Bishop was also named the region Pitcher of the Year for the second time in her career.

Bishop is completed one of the most successful playing careers in Missouri Western softball history. The Kirksville, Mo., natvie is a four-time First Team All-MIAA selection, two time MIAA Pitcher of the Year (2012-2014), four-time First Team All-Region recipient and an All-American selection in 2012. Bishop was also the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2011. Bishop holds MWSU softball career records for wins (96), strikeouts (977), innings pitched (828.0), appearances (142) complete games (105) and shutouts (29). Additionally the two-time MIAA Pitcher of the Year holds MWSU single-season records for strikeouts (291) and shutouts (12) and is an integral member of a senior class that went 159-62 in its time dawning the Black and Gold. This season, the right-handed pitcher finished with a 26-10 overall record with a 1.36 ERA. The 26 wins is the most she had in a single season. She finished leading the MIAA with 291 strikeouts. She pitched 31 complete games with 12 shutouts and two saves this season. She gave up just 4.4 hits per games while striking out 8.3 per game. She thrw three no-hitters this season and four in her career. She was named the MIAA AstroTurf Pitcher of the Week four times this season and 11 times in her career.

Gillaspy topped off an impressive junior campaign being named first team All-Region and  first team All-MIAA for the first time in her career. Gillaspy a two-time MIAA AstroTurf Hitter of the Week finished her season getting a hit in 23 of her last 25 games and had an 19 game hitting streak during that run. She also hit safely in 45 of the Griffons 57 games this season. She finished the season leading the Griffons and was in the top-10 in the MIAA in batting average (.390), hits (73), doubles (13), home runs (13), RBI (60), total baseas (125) and slugging percentage (.668). Gillaspy was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection a in 2013. She had double digit hits in 21 games including going 4-for-4 against Central Missouri on March 14. She has also had five RBI in a game three times and hit two home runs and a double against Lincoln on April 12. On the final day of the season she went 4-for-7 with two runs scored, four RBI a double and a home run in the NCAA Central Regional.

The Griffons finished their season 39-18 overall and won their first ever MIAA Tournament Championship going 4-0 and outscoring their opponents 41-9. They Griffons have won 30+ games in four straight seasons.

Each member of the first-team All-Central Region squad will join first-team members from each of the other seven regions on the ballot for the Daktronics All-America Team.

The D2SIDA All-America softball team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition. The teams are voted on by the members of D2SIDA, NCAA Division II Sports Information Directors Association.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western made a great run but fell twice on Saturday in the MIAA Tournament held in Springfield, Mo. The Griffons fell in game one 3-2 before falling 6-0 in the final game of the tournament. The Griffons finish the season 32-20.

Game 1
ESU 3
MWSU 2

Despite scoring the first two runs of the game the Griffons gave up three unaswared run falling 3-2 in the first game of the MIAA Championship. The Griffons got two runs in the 5th inning on three hits. Mitch Thorman singled to right field and scored on a two out single by Ryan Degner. Cody Childs then hit his first triple of the year scoring Degner and giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead.

Josh Lansangan had a no hitter going into the 5th inning but three one out hits helped the Hornets cut the Griffon lead to 2-1 after five innings. In the 6th the Hornets were able capitalize on an error on Childs leading off the inning. They followed the error up with a couple more singles giving the Hornets the 3-2 lead after six innings.

In the 8th the Griffons got runners on the corners with no outs but the Griffons were unable to push the tying or go ahead run accross the plate. The Griffons did not get anything going in the ninth as they dropped their first game of the tournament.

In the contest the Griffons had seven hits with David Chew going 3-for-4 and Degner going 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Lansangan went 5.2 innings with four hits and one earned run with four strikeouts. He falls to 3-3 with the loss. Tyler Sanders went 2.1 innings with one strikeout.

The Hornets improve to 39-17 on the season as they scattered six hits. Price Jacobs got two hits with an RBI and a run scored. Travis Hendry went 4.2 innings giving up five hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts. Brenton Higgins went 2.1 innings in relief giving up two hits. He improves to 7-1 with the win while Shawn Talkington went 2.0 innnings picking up his first save of the year.

Game 2
ESU 6
MWSU 0

In the second game Emporia State got three runs in the third inning and would not look back. At the plate Jacobs hit a solo home run going two for five with two runs scored. Dean Long was two for three scoring a run and driving one in while Aaron Gile went two for four and drove in a run.

On the mound just one day after throwing a complete game Jarrod Miller pitching four innings of two hit baseball. He would be relieved by Matt Hinkley who pitched three innings of scoreless baseball to earn his second win of the season.

The Griffons had just five hits in the gmae with Will Carter and LaHonta each getting two. Cody Childs had the other hit in the game. Tyler Tuepker falls to 2-3 on the season going 2.1 innings giving up two hits and two earned runs.

The Hornets will earn the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament which begins with the Central Regional on May 15.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Winona, Minn. – The Griffon softball team fought off elimination once but could not do it twice on Saturday in the NCAA Central Regional. The Griffons beat Southern Arkansas 5-0 before falling to #1 seed and 10th ranked Winona State 5-4. The Griffons season ends with a 39-18 overall record.

Game 1
MWSU 5
SAU 0

Against the Muleriders the Griffons got a solid pithing performance from Jackie Bishop as she threw a complete game shutout. The shutout was her 12th of the year and the victory was the 26th of the season which was a new career high. Bishop struck out six in the game.

The Griffons got on the board in the third inning when Tiffany Gillaspy hit a two out double scoring Sydney Washington from first base giving them the 1-0 lead. In the fifth Morgan Rathmann got hit by a pitch and again with two outs Gillaspy blasted a homer to give the Griffons the 3-0 lead.

The Griffons put two more on the board in the 6th with three hits. Michelle Stevenson and Rathmann had RBI hits in the inning making it 5-0 going to the 7th.

Bishop gave up a single in the 7th but got out of the inning eliminating Southern Arkansas. The Muleriders ended their season with a 37-26 overall record.

The Griffons had six hits with Gillaspy going 2-for-3 with three RBI and a runs scored.

Hanna Gill got the loss for SAU going 5.1 innings giving up four hits and five earned runs with two strikeouts. She falls to 12-6 with the loss. SAU had four hits with four different players getting a hit.

Game 2
#10 WSU 5
MWSU 4

In game two the long ball hurt the Griffons as three of their five hits went over the fence including a three run homer in the first by Morgan Lintz giving the Warriors the 3-0 lead. The Griffons kept battling back tying the game at three after five.

In the third inning the Griffons loaded the bases with no one out as Katie Klosterman walked and Stevenson and Rathmann hit back-to-back singles. Klosterman scored on a ground-out by Fleschner as the Griffons cut the lead to 3-1. In the fourth Anding singled to the pitcher and Steponovich doubled to right field putting runners on second and third with one out. Stevenson hit a sac fly scoring Anding cutting the Warrior lead to 3-2 after four.

In the fifth the Griffons got things going again as Rathmann led off with a single and stole second. Gillaspy came up with two outs and singled to left field tying the game at three going to the bottom of the fifth.

Bishop set nine straight batter down until the bottom of the sixth when Jen Nelson and Lintz hit back-to-back homers giving the Warriors the 5-3 lead going to the 7th.

The Griffons did not give up as single by Gillaspy and Brooke Schaben put runners on first and third with no one out. The Griffons got a run on a Steponovich ground out but that would be it as the Griffons left one on in the inning and their ninth in the game.

The Griffons had 11 hits with Rathmann going 3-for-3 with a run. Gillaspy and Stevenson each had two hits while four other Griffons had a hit. Bishop ends her season 26-10 as she went six innings giving up five hits and five earned run.s She struckout four in the game.

The Warriors improved to 48-8 on the season Lintz going 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBI. Hanna Lythberg went 5.1 innings giving up eight hits and three earned runs while Ashley Walker got her 20th victory going 1.2 innings in relief. She gave up three hits and one earned run.

Bishop finished her career 96-29 with a 1.44 ERA. She pitched 828 innings with 977 strikeouts.

— MWSU Sports Information —

WINONA, Minn. – The Missouri Western softball team dropped a back and forth battle in the first round of the NCAA Central Regional falling 8-7 against #23 Augustana College. The Griffons had eight hits in the game with Sydney Washington going 2-for-3 with a run scored. The Griffons will take on Southern Arkansas in an elimination game on Saturday, May 10 at 3:30 pm. The winner will take on the loser of Winona State and Augustana at 6 pm tomorrow night.

The Griffons were able to score runs in three of the seven innings but the Vikings scored in five of the seven. The Griffons got on the board in the first as Bre Fleschner and Washington led off with back-to-back singles. The Griffons loaded the bases when Tiffany Gillaspy walked. Fleschner scored on a wild pitch and Washington scored on a ground out by Taylor Anding giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead.

The Vikings responded scoring the next three runs which included a two run homer by Jenelle Troutman in the first inning which tied the score at two. The Vikings took the lead in the second when Troutman got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded giving Augie the 3-2 lead after two.

In the third the Griffons tied the score as Gillaspy led off getting hit by a pitch. She later scored on a passed ball tying the score at three. The score stayed that way until the 4th when Trautman blasted her second homer of the game giving the Vikings the 4-3 lead after four innings.

Missouri Western responded in the 5th getting three hits and four runs taking a 7-4 lead. Kat Steponovich blasted her 8th homer of the season in the inning while Gillaspy and Anding also had singles in the frame.

Things looked good for the Griffons as they shut down the Vikings in the 5th but in the 6th Augustana got their third homer of the game. This time the Griffons walked Trautman in order to get to Lindsay Spanton. Spanton took an 0-2 pitch over the left field fence tying the score at seven after the 6th.

The Griffons went down in order in the 7th and with two outs in the bottom of the 7th Sarah Kennedy hit a walk off homer downing Missouri Western.

The Vinkings improve to 44-13 on the season as they had 1- hits. Kennedy went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI while Trautmann went 2-for-2 with four RBI. Trautmann also went 3.2 innings giving up five hits and three earned runs while Carley Pickett got the win going 3.1 innings giving up three hits and three earned runs. She improves to 16-6 with the victory.

Jackie Bishop got the loss for the Griffons going 6.2 innings giving up 10 hits and eight earned runs. She walked five and struck out five in the game. She falls to 25-9 with the loss.

— MWSU Sports Information —

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri Western baseball pounded out 13 hits on their way to a 5-2 victory over the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. The Griffons will take on the winner of Emporia State and Central Oklahoma at 11 am on Saturday, May 10 in Sringfield, Mo. This marks the second straight year that the Griffons have advanced to the MIAA Championship. The Griffons need just one victory to advance to the NCAA Central Regional. The Griffons improve to 32-18 on the season.

After getting down 1-0 in the first the Griffons scored runs in four consecutive innings taking a 5-1 lead after seven innings. In the fourth inning the Griffons got three straight singles by Jake Schrader, Hutern Weiss and Mitch Thorman loading the bases. Trevor LaHonta then got hit by a pitch tying the score at one after four innings.

In the fifth inning the Griffons got the go ahead run on three hits and used two errors Broncho errors. Cody Childs reached on an throwing error by the third baseman and scored on the same play on an throwing error by the first basemand giving the Griffons the 2-1 lead after five.

The Griffons scored two more runs in the sixth on three hits. Mitch Thorman doubled to left center and later scored on a double to left center by Ryan Degner. Degner scored on a Dylan Koch single to left fied making it 4-1 after six innings. In the seventh another single by Thorman scored Schrader helping MWSU to the 5-1 lead.

That would be all the Griffons would need as Jake Jones and Mason Queen allowed just one more run for the Bronchos in the victory. Jake Jones went six innings giving up six hits and one earned run while striking out seven. Mason Queen went three innings giving up three hits with two strikeouits. Jones improves to 7-3 with the victory.

Degner, Koch and Degner each had three hits while Schrader had two. Schrader scored two runs while Degner, Koch, Thorman and LaHonta all had an RBI.

The Bronchos had nine hits in the game with Josh Ingram going 4-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Ricky Reeves got the loss falling 8-1. He went 5.1 innings giving up nine hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts. The Bronchos fall to 37-16 with the loss.

— MWSU Sports Information —