SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri Western baseball team used an eight inning performance from Grant Woods and three hits apiece from Dylan Koch and David Chew picking up a 12-6 victory in the opening round of the MIAA Final Four Tournament against Northeastern State. The Griffons used a six run sixth inning helping them seal the victory. The Griffons improve to 31-18 with the victory and will play Central Oklahoma or Emporia State on Friday, May 9 at 11 am.

The game saw 21 hits and four total home runs between the two teams with MWSU moving on to tomorrow’s game.

The Griffons jumped on the RiverHawks in the first inning when Cody Childs walked and back-to-back singles by Koch and Chew and a throwing error helped the Griffons go up 2-0 after one inning. The scored stayed that way until the 3rd when Koch walked and advanced to second on a balk. He later scored on a Chew single to left field giving the Griffons the 3-0 lead after three innings of play.

In the sixth the RiverHawks tied the scored getting three runs on three hits. Cody Robinson hit a two run homer tying the score at three after five and a half.

The Griffons responded nicely in their half of the sixth loading the baseas with two out. The Griffons got a break as an error by the NSU second baseman allowed Koch and Will Carter to score giving the Griffons the 5-3 lead. The next batter Trevor LaHonta hit a two RBI single and then Ryan Degner followed that up with a two RBI homer giving the Griffons the 9-3 lead after six innings.

In the seventh Dylan Koch led off with his first homer of his career and Jake Schrader got an RBI single giving the Griffons the 11-3 lead after eight. The Griffons got the run they need in the 8th on a double by Chew scoring Koch giving them the nine run cushion which they needed as NSU scored eight runs in the 9th making things interesting.

On the mound Woods pitched eight innings to earn the win. He improves to 6-2 while Mason Queen came on to earn a one pitch save. It was Queen’s fifth save of the season.

For the RiverHawks Cody Robinson was three for five with a home run and three runs driven in. Kyle Singleton also hit a home run going two for four and driving in two runs. NSU falls to 26-27 with the loss.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team had seven players named to the All-MIAA teams which was released Thursday (May 8) morning. The Griffons are 30-18 on the season and will take on the Northeastern State RiverHawks this morning in the first round of the Final Four double elimination tournament which is being held at John Q. Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo. First pitch is scheduled for 11 am.

Junior outfielder Ryan Degner was named to the second team while senior catcher Jake Schrader was a third team selection. Senior pitchers Jake Jones and Mason Queen were named to the honorable mention team as well as junior second baseman Dylon Koch, junior shortstop Cody Childs and senior outfielder David Chew.

Degner who transfered in after Christmas break is leading the Griffons in almost all offensive categories. He is hitting a team high .393 and is currenly on a eight game hitting streak. He also leads the team in hits (68), runs scored (43), doubles (15), total baseas (114), slugging percentage (.659), on base percentage (.463) and stolen bases (18). He is second on the team with nine home runs and 45 RBI. He has a hit in 38 of the Griffons 48 games this season which includes getting four hits in a game three times. He had a season best six RBI earlier this season against the Norteastern State RiverHawks.

Schrader has had a solid season behind the plate for the Griffons catching all 46 games he has played in. Schrader has made 269 putouts with 30 assists and just six errors for a .980 fielding percentage. He has also thrown out 17 runners this season. Offensively he leads the Griffons with 11 home runs in which he has hit two in a game four different times. He also leads the team with 46 RBI. On the season he is hitting .282 with 44 hits, 34 runs scored, 10 doubles, 89 total bases and a .571 slugging percentage. He has a hit in 25 game this season including a career high four against Lincoln on April 6.

Player of the Year: Phillip Wilson, SS/RP, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Pitcher of the Year: Rickey Reeves, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Freshman of the Year: Ryan Helsley, P, Northeastern State
Coach of the Year: Chris Martin, Southwest Baptist

First Team All-MIAA

Pitcher: Ricky Reeves, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Pitcher: Shawn Talkington, Jr, Emporia State
Pitcher: Kyle Gehrs, Sr., Central Missouri
Relief Pitcher: Breton Higgins, Sr., Emporia State
Catcher: David Gauntt, So., Washburn
First Base: Jake O’ Brien, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Second Base: Levi Parker, Jr., Emporia State
Shortstop: Phillip Wilson, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Third Base: Spencer Blacksher, Jr., Southwest Baptist
Outfield: Cody Robinson, Sr., Northeastern State
Outfield: Anthony Pacheco, So., Nebraska-Kearney
Outfield: Brad Wilson, Sr., Central Missouri
Designated Hitter: Josh Ingram, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Utility: Danny Droll, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney

Second Team All-MIAA

Pitcher: Brett Ash, Sr., Washburn^
Pitcher: Jared Sterling, Jr., Central Oklahoma^
Pitcher: David Reese, Sr., Missouri Southern^
Pitcher: Ryan Hesley, Fr., Northeastern State^
Relief Pitcher: Zach Davis, Sr., Central Missouri
Catcher: Max Ayoub, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney
First Base: Mike Failoni, Sr., Lindenwood
Second Base: Cesar Wong, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Shortstop: Ross Wolfe, Jr., Southwest Baptist
Third Base: Dean Long, Jr., Emporia State
Outfield: Clayton Garland, Sr., Fort Hays State
Outfield: Justin Harris, Jr., Emporia State
Outfield: Ryan Degner, Jr., Missouri Western
Designated Hitter: Chance Wolfe, Fr., Southwest Baptist
Utility: Jake Alexander, So., Central Missouri
^= Four pitchers due to tie in the voting

Third Team All-MIAA

Pitcher: Ricky Rivera, Jr., Central Missouri#
Pitcher: Logan Willard, Sr., Nebraska-Kearney#
Pitcher: Jarrod Miller, Jr., Emporia State#
Pitcher: Ryker Fox, Sr., Northwest Missouri#
Relief Pitcher: Phillip Wilson, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Catcher: Jake Schrader, Sr., Missouri Western
First Base: Horace Johnson, Sr., Fort Hays State*
First Base: Jake Vore, Jr., Southwest Baptist*
Second Base: Landon Young, Sr., Southwest Baptist
Shortstop: Toby Cornejo, Sr., Emporia State
Third Base: Matt Johnson, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Brandon Landanger, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney%
Outfield: Logan Moon, Sr., Missouri Southern%
Outfield: Christian Binger, So., Southwest Baptist%
Outfield: Trevor Jones, Sr., Central Missouri%
Designated Hitter: Barrett Noirfalise, Sr., Central Missouri
Utility: David Weber, Sr., Northeastern State
#= Four pitchers due to tie in the voting
*= Two first basemen due to tie in the voting
%= Four outfielders due to tie in the voting

Honorable Mention

Pitcher: Kurtis Schuyler, Central Missouri; Dakota McKaskle, Emporia State;Payton Walker, Missouri Southern; Jake Jones, Missouri Western; Tyler Thompson, Pittsburg State; Cory Borsh, Southwest Baptist; Taylor Gentry, Washburn

Relief Pitcher: Stephen Vaughn, Missouri Southern; Mason Queen, Missouri Western; Joe Smidt, Nebraska-Kearney; Ryan McKay, PittsburgState; Sam Vergara, Southwest Baptist

Catcher: Seth Wheeler, Central Missouri; Brad Lamberti, Central Oklahoma.

First Base: Ryan Staggs, Northeastern State; Matt Jackson, Washburn

Second Base: Dylon Koch, Missouri Western; Corey Gragg, Washburn

Shortstop: Brad Jelinek, Central Missouri; Cody Childs, Missouri Western; Andrew Walker, Northeastern State

Third Base: Tony Sandifer, Central Missouri; Brad Foss, Pittsburg State; Kyle Carnahan, Washburn

Outfield: Kevin Gratza, Central Missouri; Tyler Crabtree, Central Oklahoma; Dillon Argo, Central Oklahoma; Price Jacobs, Emporia State; Marshall Vallandingham, Lindenwood; David Chew, Missouri Western; Jon Pomatto, Northwest Missouri; Cody Ball, Pittsburg State; Bo Helsel, Southwest Baptist; Wes Jones, Washburn; Parker Gibson, Washburn
Designated Hitter: Cooper Langley, Fort Hays State; Taylor Herrington, Washburn

Utility: Kevin Czarnecki, Fort hays State; Ben Stewart, Lincoln; Ben Courdret, Lindenwood; Jerry Roam, Lindenwood.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Seven Missouri Western softball players were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll which was released Wednesday afternoon by the league office. Of those seven students, two 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, Taylor Anding, Jackie Bishop, Sydney McCune, Brooke Schaben, Janie Smith, Kat Steponovich and Michelle Stevenson.

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-athletes that earned this honor for MWSU are Anding and Steponovich.

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

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western women’s basketball coach Rob Edmisson announced the signing of seven student athletes to the National Letter of Intent for the 2014-2015 season.

The Griffons welcome junior college transfers Miliakere (Mili) Koyamainavure of Suva, Fiji (Iowa Central CC), Mhykeah Baez of San Marcos, Texas (College of Central Florida), Chelsea Dewey of Gower, Mo. (Hutchinson CC), Sarafina Handy of Flossmoor, Ill. (Kankakee CC) and Mariah Jordan of Gary, Ind. (Pensacola State) along with freshman Olivia Hanson of Fort Smith, Ark. (Northside HS) and Anna Rogers of Greenland, Ark. (Greenland HS) to next year’s squad.

Koyamainavure, a 5-9, guard from Suva, Fiji, transfers to Missouri Western from Iowa Central Community College. She played her high school basketball at Adi Cakobau School in Nausori, Fiji. While at Iowa Central she was named 1st Team All-Region as a sophomore and 2nd Team All-Region as a freshman. She was also named to the All-Region Tournament team her freshman season. As a freshman she played in 35 games averaging 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. This past season she played in 32 games averaging 17.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game. She made 51-percent of her field goal attempts as a sophomore. She is also a solid student being named 1st Team Academic All-Region as a sophomore and 2nd Team Academic All-Region as a freshman. She is the daughter of Mereseini and Mataika and plans on majoring in accounting.

Baez, a 6-1, forward from San Antonio, Texas transfers to Missouri Western from College of Central Florida. She played her high school basketball in E. L Broady Academy in San Antonio, Texas. This past season at she averaged 8.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and made 45.3 percent of her shots. This will be the second stint at a Missouri-based program as she attended Jefferson College for one season after her high school career. She played a key role in helping the Patriots nearly capture a berth in the FCSAA State Tournament. She is the daughter of Stephanie and Luis and plans on majoring in sports management.

Dewey, a 5-7, guard from Gower, Mo. transfers to Missouri Western from Hutchinson CC which is located in Hutchinson, Kan. She played her high school basketball at East Buchanan High School in Gower, Mo. Dewey is the third Lady Dragon in as many season to sign with Missouri Western as Lanicia Lawrence and Kyrsten Crawford both played at Hutchinson. Playing a back-up role this past season, Dewey played in all 36 games coming off the bench. She averaged 6.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Dewey hit 22 3-pointers, third most on the team and will have three years to play at Missouri Western. She is the daughter of Cathy and David and is undecided on a major.

Handy, a 5-7, guard from Flossmoor, Ill. transfers to Missouri Western from Kankakee CC which is located in Kankakee, Ill. She played her high school basketball at Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights, Ill. She helped her team to the NJCCAA National Tournament while being named NJCAA 1st Team All-American and to the All-Conference Team. She averaged 19 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. She made 45-percent of her field goals as well as 40.5-percent of her long range shots and 83.7-percent of her free throws. She is the daughter of Emanuel Handy and Virginia Roden and plans on majoring in business management.

Jordan, a 6-1 center from Gary, Ind. Transfers to Missouri Western from Pensacola State College which is located in Pensacola, Fla. She played her high school basketball at Thea Bowman in Gary, Ind. While in junior college she was an All-Conference and All-American selection. While at Pensacola State she averaged 7.7 points per game and 3.4 rebounds. Her freshman season she played at Malcom X where she scored 16.4 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game. In high school she was an All-Area selection averaging 11.6 points per game, 22 rebounds per game and 5.2 assists per game. She plans on majoring in criminal justice.

Hanson, a 5-11 guard from Fort Smith, Ark. played her high school basketball at Northside HS. She was a six year letter winner at Northside and helped her team reach the state final three straight years which included winning the state title in 2013. She was a 2014 All-State selection as well as being named to the All-Tournament team. She is a three time All-Conference selection. As a senior she averaged 15.6 points, 2.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. She led the state of Arkansas in 3-point percentage 45-percent and shot 50-percent from the field. She is also a solid student being a member or the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Paula and Carl and is undecided on a major.

Rogers, a 5-7 guard from Greenland, Ark. played her high school basketball at Greenland HS. She had a very successful high school career and averaged 12.3 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.6 steals per game. She also shot free throws very well making 94-percent of her charity shots. She led her squad to back-to-back state championships her sophomore and junior seasons. Rogers was an All-State selection as a junior and senior.

“We are excited to welcome this group to our Missouri Western family,” stated Coach Edmisson. “We feel these additions will have an impact on the future success of our program.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

The MIAA announced its academic award winners for the sport of tennis on Tuesday morning. Six Missouri Western women’s tennis players were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.

The MIAA Academic Honor Roll is for any sophomore, junior, and senior with at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA. 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 players that earned the honor are Ceara Boldridge, Denise Chiao, Kelly Cochran, Alyssa Dougan, Kayla Dysart and Jody Goers.

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

— MWSU Sports Information —

The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has selected the 64 teams that will participate in the 2014 NCAA Division II Softball Regional Championships. Four teams will participate at each of 16 regional sites in double-elimination tournaments. Regional competition will be held May 9-11. Winners will advance to the super regional’s May 16-18. The elite eight will be held May 22-26 at Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va.

For the seventh time in ten years (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014) the Missouri Western softball team will be heading to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The Griffons (38-16) are the fifth seed and will play in Winona, Minnesota on Friday, May 9 at 4:30 pm against Augustana College (S.D.) (43-13) who is the fourth seed.

The other two teams that are in the Griffons region are the host school and number one seed Winona State (46-7) and the eight seed Southern Arkansas (36-24).

The Griffons are coming off their first ever MIAA Tournament Championship and have won 18 of their last 20 games. The Griffons and the Vikings have split two games this season. The Griffons fell 3-1 on Feb. 23 and won 6-0 on March 22 in St. Joseph. The Griffons also split a doubleheader with the Warriors falling 2-1 in eight innings and winning 4-0.

Four other schools will be going to Mankato, Minnesota to play their double elimination tournament. Minnesota State (43-11) the number two seed will play Southeastern Oklahoma State (38-17) the seventh seed while the three seed Emporia State Hornets (46-12) will take on the sixth seeded Central Oklahoma Bronchos (40-15).

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western softball coach Jen Bagley announces the signing of another pitcher for next season.

Alex VanHove of Milo, Iowa will join Sophie Gentry from St. Joseph, Mo., junior college pitcher Shyanne Saladino from Davenport, Iowa as well as Riley Wilson, Rebekah Mueller, Shelbie Atwell, Paige Shifflett and Emilie Laliberte on next years squad as those players signed in November 2013.

VanHove is a 5-10 pitcher from Milo, Iowa played her high school softball at Southeast Warren High School. While at Southeast Warren, VanHove was a four year letter winner in softball, volleyball and dance. She was a 2nd Team All-Conference pitcher while in high school. She is the daughter of Barb and Dale and plans on majoring in nursing.

“Emily is a talent that we are excited to add to our pitching depth,” stated Coach Bagley. “She has a tremendous upside and we are going to be lucky benefactors of her development.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team captured its first even MIAA Tournament championship Saturday in Overland Park as they defeated Northeastern State, 12-0.  The Griffons scored seven, 7th inning runs on their way to the victory. The win was Jackie Bishop’s 25th of the season which ties her career high for victories in a season.

The Griffons are 38-16 on the season and will play next weekend in the NCAA Central Regional which will be announced on Monday, May 5 at 9:00 am. There will be a watch party in the KCP&L Theater Room in the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex.

Bishop threw a one-hitter while striking out 10 and walking just one. The Griffons had 12 hits in the contest with two coming from Kat Steponovich, Michelle Stevenson and Morgan Rathmann.

Missouri Western opened up the scoring in the second inning when Steponovich led off with a single down the right field line and advanced to second on single by Katie Klosterman to second base. Stevenson then hit a single scoring Steponovich and then Klosterman scored on an RBI groundout by Rathmann giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead.

The score stayed that way until the 5th inning when Rathmann blasted a two run homer over left center giving the Griffons the 4-0 lead. Later in the inning Bre Fleschner scored on a Gillaspy groundout making the lead 5-0 after five.

In the 7th the Griffons exploded for seven runs which was capped by back-to-back pinch hit home runs by Kailey Green and Sydney McCune. Sydney Washington and Brooke Schaben also had RBI hits in the innings.

Bishop struck out the final batter of the game giving the Griffons their first tournament title in history.

The RiverHawks end their season with a 29-30 overall record. Kayce Wooldridge went all six innings giving up eight hits and four earned runs. She falls to 17-14 on the season. Saharra Henson had the lone hit for the RiverHawks.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team got a walk off single by senior outfielder David Chew advancing them to the final four of the MIAA Tournament next weekend in Springfield, Mo. Chew singled in Cody Childs in the bottom of the 10th giving the Griffons the 5-4 victory over Southwest Baptist. With the victory the Griffons improve to 30-18 on the season.

Missouri Western jumped on top early, taking a 1-0 lead after the first inning of play. Cody Childs homered down the left field line helping the Griffons strike first. The Bearcats responded in the second, plating two runs taking a 2-1 lead. Ross Wolfe and Chance Wolfe led the inning off with back-to-back singles. After a Missouri Western error put the runners on second and third, Zach Pirrello doubled to right field to put SBU on top. The Bearcats added to their lead in the third when Jake Vore scored on a Ross Wolfe fielder’s choice to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Griffons responded right back in the bottom half of the inning with two runs tying the game at 3-3. The Griffons got RBI hits from Chew and Will Carter in the inning which scored Childs and Chew.

Both the Bearcats and the Griffons settled down, with no runs being scored over the next three innings. The Bearcats broke the tie in the top of the seventh when Tyler Hampton singled home Bo Helsel to give SBU a 4-3 lead. Missouri Western responded right back, knotting the game up at 4-4 on an RBI double by Trevor LaHonta scoring Jake Schrader.

The game would go to extra innings and in the bottom of the 10th, Childs singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch setting him up to score on the Chew single giving the Griffons the victory.

The Griffons had 12 hits with Childs going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and Chew going 3-for-5 with one run scored and two RBI. Mason Queen picked up the victory going three innings in relief giving up just one hit with two strikeouts. He improved to 4-4 with the victory.

The Griffons will take on the winner of the University of Central Missouri and Northeastern State series on Thursday, May 8 in Springfield, Mo. First pitch is scheduled for 11 am.

Southwest Baptist had 15 hits with Pirrello going 3-for-5. Sam Vergara got the loss going three innings giving up four hits and one earned run. He falls to 5-2 on the season.

The Bearcats concluded the most successful season in school history, coming away with the most wins and MIAA wins ever. SBU also advanced to their first MIAA Tournament since the 1999. SBU finished the season with a 29-24 record while finishing 24-15 in the MIAA.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Jackie Bishop ended a dominate performance by striking out her career best 17th batter in the top of the 7th inning with the tying run on second picking up the 3-1 victory and advancing to the MIAA Softball Tournament Championship. Missouri Western advances to the MIAA Tournament Championship for the first time since 2012 and they’re now 37-16 on the season.

In game that started out as a pitcher’s duel Missouri Western escaped with a 3-1 victory over Northeastern State. The win puts MWSU in Saturday’s championship game and send Northeastern State to tonight’s game against top seed Emporia State.

After walking the first batter of the game, Bishop went on to strikeout 10 straight RiverHawks before a pop up my Northeastern State. The only hit either pitcher gave through six innings was in the first when Tiffany Gillaspy got a single extending her hitting streak to 21 games.

After the RiverHawks got a two out double by Lauren Lanary and scored on a single by Madison Reed giving them a 1-0 lead in the top of the 6th. In the bottom of the 6th the Griffons pieced together sive hits and took advantage of one NSU error. Morgan Rathmann homered starting the scoring in the sixth and Bre Fleschner and Sydney Washington scored runs to put the Griffons ahead.

In the circle Bishop went seven innings allowing four hits and only one earned run while striking out 17 on the afternoon. She improves to 24-8 on the season. Kayce Wooldridge went six innings for NSU striking out three and allowing just six hits and one earned run.

— MWSU Sports Information —