After day two of the MIAA Women’s Golf Championships the Missouri Western women sit in 7th place out of the nine team field. The Griffons have fired a two day total of 735 (363-372) which is 15 strokes back of Central Missouri (720) for 6th. The leader of the event is the University of Central Oklahoma who fired a 641 (320-321) which is 12 strokes ahead of Northeastern State who fired a 653 (326-327).

The Griffons are led by sophomore Callie Wilson who had a solid first two rounds putting her in a tie for 8th. She fired a 167 (81-86) and sits one stroke back of 6th and two strokes ahead of 11th. The leader of the event is Taylor Neidy of Central Oklahoma who fired a two day total of 154 (76-78). She sits two strokes ahead of Baylee Price of Northeastern State who fired a 156 (79-77).

Madison Romjue sits in a tie for 22nd with a two day total of 182 (95-87) while Anna Kloeppel sits in 31st with a 189 (91-98). Amber Chivington and Shelby Stone fired 197 (96-101) and 199 (98-101) respectively.

The final round of the event will be played tomorrow April 22nd. The event is being held at the Alvamar Golf Club in Lawrence, Kan. on the Members Course. It is par 72 with a distance of 6237.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s golf team shot one of their lowest round of the season helping them sit in 6th place in the 12 team field after round one of the MIAA Golf Championships. The Griffons fired a 301 which is three better than Central Oklahoma (304) and five better than Nebraska-Kearney (306). The Griffons are one stroke back of Lincoln University (300) and four strokes back of Lindenwood (297). Central Missouri leads the event with a 283 putting them eight strokes ahead of Northeastern State (291) and 11 strokes ahead of Washburn (294).

Individually, junior Scott Sheldon had a solid round finishing in a tie for 12th with a one over 73. He is just two strokes back of 2nd and five strokes behind Cy Mortiz of Central Missouri who fired a 5-under 68.

James O’Brien sits two strokes back of Sheldon sitting in a tie for 23rd while Evan McCarthy and Tyler Gast are close behind firing 76 and 77 respectively. The final Griffon is senior Derek Hawkins who fired an 82.

Round two of the three round event will take place on Tuesday, April 22. The event is being played at Alvamar Golf Club on the Championship Course. The course is a par 72 with a distance of 7092.

— MWSU Sports Information —

After day one of the MIAA Women’s Golf Championships, the Missouri Western women sit in 7th place out of the nine team field. The Griffons fired a day one total of 363 which is just four strokes back of Central Missouri for 6th, six strokes back of Nebraska-Kearney for 5th and 11 strokes back of Northwest Missouri State for 4th. The leader of the event is the University of Central Oklahoma who fired a 320, six strokes ahead of Northeastern State (326) and 25 strokes ahead of Lindenwood (345).

The Griffons are led by sophomore Callie Wilson who had a solid first round 81. She sits in 7th place overall just one stroke out of a tie for 4th and two strokes back of 2nd. The leader of the event is Taylor Neidy of Central Oklahoma firing a round one 76.

Anna Kloeppel sits in a tie for 21st with a 91 while Madison Romjue, Amber Chivington and Shelby Stone fired 95, 96 and 98 respectively.

The second round of the event will be played tomorrow April 21st. The event is being held at the Alvamar Golf Club in Lawrence, Kan. on the Members Course. It is par 72 with a distance of 6237.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western pitching staff struggled on Saturday afternoon giving up 40 hits and 30 runs against the #24 Central Missouri Mules. The Griffons baseball team fell in game one 15-2 before falling 15-7 in game two. The Griffons fall to 24-17 overall and 20-14 in MIAA play.

In game one the Griffons got down 5-0 after three innings and were able to score two in the top of the fourth cutting the score to 5-2. From there the Mules piled on 10 more runs taking the 15-2 victory. The Mules had 19 hits in the contest.

Hunter Weiss had two of the Griffons five hits while Jake Jones falls to 5-3 giving up 12 hits and six earned runs in 4.1 innings. The Mules were led by three players with three hits while Kurtis Schuyler got the victory going all seven innings. He improves to 6-2 with the victory.

In game two the Griffons pounded out 15 hits but a nine run first by the Mules downed the Griffons 15-7. Dylan Koch and Cody Childs both had three hits while Trevor Lahonda, Ryan Degner, David Chew and Mitch Thorman each had two hits. Michael Yeager hit his first homer of his career with three RBI.

Tyler Sanders falls to 3-3 on the season going just 2/3 of an inning. He gave up seven hits and four earned runs. Mark Spreckles went 3.1 innings in relief giving up eight his and three earned runs.

The Mules improve to 32-13 on the season and 29-7 with the victory.

The Griffons return to action on Friday, April 25 opening up their final regular season series against the Fort Hays State Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 6 pm in St. Joseph, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team split a pair of games at 24th-ranked Central Missouri Friday evening. The Griffons won the first game 8-2 before dropping the second game 14-6.

Game One: MWSU 8, UCM 2

In the first game, the Griffons jumped on the board early, scoring four runs to take the advantage. David Chew’s three-run bomb came after Trevor LaHonta scored from a sac bunt by Ryan Degner.
Central Missouri put two runs on the board to cut the Griffons’ lead in half, but Missouri Western added single runs in the top of the third and fourth to lead 6-2.

In the sixth inning, Degner doubled to score LaHonta, who singled to right field just before which pulled in a run by Jerico Burasco.

LaHonta went 3 of 4 with 2 RBI and Chew went 2 of 4 with four RBI to lead the Griffons. Grant Woods picked up the win in 4.2 innings of work. He is now 4-2 on the year.

Game Two: UCM 14, MWSU 6

The Griffons fell behind a run after two innings, and after coming from behind to take a 2-1 lead after three-and-a-half innings, the Mules topped the Griffons in game two.

Central Missouri scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth and another six runs in the fifth inning as the Mules won 14-6. They had 11 hits and only one error through the second game.

The Griffons added four runs in the top of the eighth inning after falling behind 10-2 after five.  Mitch Thorman nailed a grand slam in the inning which helped Missouri Western cut the Mules’ lead in half, but Central Missouri regrouped in the bottom half of the eighth inning.

Central Missouri scored four runs to go back ahead eight, and that’s how the game would end.

Ryan Degner had two hits to lead the Griffons. Central Missouri was led by three players with multiple hits, including Tony Sandifer, who had two homers in the game.
The Griffons are now 24-15 and 20-11 in the conference. Central Missouri is 29-13 and 26-7 in the MIAA.

Missouri Western and Central Missouri return to action tomorrow in another double header. The two squads will start at 1 p.m. in a seven-inning game with a nine inning following shortly afterward.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western softball coach Jen Bagley announces the signing of a junior college pitcher for the 2014-2015 season. Shyanne Saladino from Davenport, Iowa is a transfer from Kirkwood CC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Saladino will join Riley Wilson, Rebekah Mueller, Shelbie Atwell, Paige Shifflett and Emilie Laliberte on next years squad as those players signed back in November (2013).

Shyanne Saladino is a 5-5 pitcher from Davenport, Iowa. Saladino will transfer from Kirkwood Community College where she has had an outstanding career. She played her high school softball at Davenport West where she was a five year letter winner. She was an All-State and All-Conference selection four times and was an All-District selection once. So far this season Saladino has a 18-0 record in 20 starts at Kirkwood. She has pitched in 23 games with one save and has pitched 14 complete games. She has pitched 120 innings giving up 89 hits and 21 earned runs for a 1.22 ERA. She has walked just 15 batters with 150 strikeouts (8.75 K/game). She has also had five at bats picking up three hits with three RBI, one run scored and one double.

As a freshman at Kirkwood, Saladino helped her team to a conference and district championship. During her freshman campaign she went 10-0 in 21 appearances. She picked up three saves and pitched six complete games. In 79.2 innings of work she gave up 66 hits, 18 earned runs (1.58 ERA) with 70 strikeouts (6.15 K/game). She is the daughter of Joy and Steve and plans on majoring in exercise science or education at Missouri Western State University.

“Adding Shyanne to our pitching staff is really big for our team,” commented Coach Bagley. “She is a talented pitcher with much to offer athletically. More importantly, she is a competitor that knows how to win.  We are excited to get her in black and gold.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team found itself ranked 7th in the first NCAA Central regional ranking, unveiled late Wednesday afternoon by the NCAA Division II softball committee.

The Griffons (31-15), who last qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2012, were one of four Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association teams to sit atop the Central region. In a region comprised of teams from the MIAA, Great America Conference, and the and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Griffons sit ahead of Fort Hays State (8th), Wayne State (Neb.) (9th) and East Central (10th). Minnesota State-Mankato leads the way while Emporia State sits No. 2. Augustana (S.D.), Central Oklahoma, Winona State and Southeastern Oklahoma State came in 3rd-6th respectively.

The top eight teams qualify for the NCAA Central regional, which will begin on May 9 at two campus sites. Seeds one, four, five, and eight will compete at one site in a double-elimination format, while seeds two, three, six, and seven will do the same at a second site. Each sub-regional winner will advance to the Central super-regional the following weekend for a best-of-three showdown, with the advancing team moving on to the NCAA Div. II College World Series – held in Salem, Va., from May 22-26.

The NCAA will release its second of three weekly polls next Wednesday (April 23), with a final regular season release coming on Wednesday, April 30. The selection show will take place on Monday, May 5.

Under the direction of head coach Jen Bagley, the Griffons take will be off until April 24th and 25th when they wrap up their regular season schedule. The Griffons will take on Northeastern State on Friday, April 24 in St. Joseph, Mo. Game time is set for 4 pm. They will round out the season on Saturday, April 25th with a doubleheader against Central Oklahoma beginning at noon.

— MWSU Sports Information —

In a fight for their playoff lives the Missouri Western tennis team was in a must win in order to have a chance at post season play. A lot like the rest of the season the Griffons play hard but lost a close battle with the Wasbhurn Ichabods 5-4 ending their season. The Griffons took a 2-1 lead after doubles but lost in four of the six singles matches to lose by one. The Griffons end their season with a 1-14 overall record and 1-9 in MIAA play.

After doubles things looked good for the Griffons as they held a 2-1 lead with 8-6 victories by both No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Denise Chiao and Lindsay Beger won against Kirsten Holle and Gwen Shepler in No. 2 doubles while Alyssa Dougan and Kayla Dysart won against Nzingha Banks and Sophie O’Neill.

In singles action the Griffons got victories at No. 4 and No. 5 singles but could not pick up the third victory to get the win. Ceara Boldridge won 6-2, 6-2 against Maria MoralCarretero at No. 4 singles while Beger won 6-0, 6-3 against Holle at No. 5 singles. Meara Smith played touch but fell 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2 singles to Jodie Blackim while Denise Chiao fell at No. 3 singles by scores of 7-5, 6-0 against O’Neill at No. 3 singles. Dougan played tough but fell 6-2, 6-4 at No. 6 singles while Dysart fell 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.

Washburn 5, Missouri Western 4
Apr 16, 2014 at St. Joseph, Mo. (Noyes Tennis Courts)

Singles competition
1. Buchman,Casyn (WU) def. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 6-0, 6-1
2. Blackim,Jodie (WU) def. Smith,Meara (MWSU) 6-2, 6-4
3. O’Neill,Sophie (WU) def. Chiao,Denise (MWSU) 7-5, 6-0
4. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) def. MoralCarretero,Maria (WU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) def. Holle,Kirsten (WU) 6-0, 6-3
6. Shepler,Gwen (WU) def. Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) 6-2, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Buchman,Casyn/Blackim,Jodie (WU) def. Smith,Meara/Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 8-0
2. Chiao,Denise/Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) def. Holle,Kirsten/Shepler,Gwen (WU) 8-6
3. Dougan,Alyssa/Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) def. Banks,Nzingha/O’Neill,Sophie (WU) 8-6

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team used solid pitching and timely hitting completing a series sweep against the Pittsburg State Gorillas. The Griffons won game one 1-0 before winning the night cap 8-3. Jake Jones improved to 5-2 on the season while Mark Spreckles 3-0. The Griffons sit at 23-14 overall and 19-11 and have now won eight straight games.

Game 1
MWSU 1
PSU 0

The Griffons got an outstanding pitching performance from Jake Jones as he went 5.2 innings giving up just one hit while striking out four earning a 1-0 victory against the Gorillas. Jones improves to 5-2 with the victory while Mason Queen went 1.1 innings picking up his third save of the season.

Both teams had runners on base all day as the Gorillas left seven runners on and the Griffons left six. The Griffons got the only run of the game in the fourth inning when David Chew led off with his fourth triple of the season. He would later score on a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Monty.

That would be all the runs the Griffons would need picking up their 7th victory in a row. Trevor LaHonta and Jake Schrader each had two hits for the Griffons.

Cor Lesmeister falls to 3-3 going six innings giving up six hits and one earned run. He struck out four. Luke Bordewick and Samuel Falcon each had a hit for Pittsburg State.

Game 2
MWSU 8
PSU 3

The Griffons got another solid pitching performance this time by Spreckles as he went seven innings giving up six hits and one earned run to get the victory. The Griffons picked up an 8-3 victory running their win streak to eight.

In the second inning the Griffons got on the board capitalizing on two Gorillas errors. LaHonta had an RBI single while Weiss scored on an error by the centerfielder. In the third the Griffons got three more runs on just one hit extending the Griffons lead to 5-0 after three.

The score stayed that way until the seventh when Jeremy Monty tripled and scored on a single by Weiss to left field giving the Griffons the 6-0. The Gorillas got somethings going late scoring three runs but it was to late as the Griffons got the win.

The Griffons had nine hits Weiss going 4-for-4 with one run and three RBI. The Gorillas fall to 15-26 overall and 10-22 in MIAA play. Spencer Booe and Samuel Falcon each had two hits.

The Griffons return to action next Thursday, April 17th opening up an MIAA series against the Central Missouri Mules. Game time is set for 6:00 pm in Warrensburg, Mo

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team hit six home runs in a doubleheaders sweep against the Lincoln Blue Tigers on Saturday (April 12). Missouri Western took game one 8-1  before taking the twin-bill sweep 12-2 in five innings in game two. The Griffons hit three home runs in both games improving their record to 31-15 overall and 14-8 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 8
LU 1

Missouri Western scored in four of the seven innings earning an 8-1 victory over the Blue Tigers in game one. After getting down 1-0 after one the Griffons scored eight unanswered runs in the victory. The Griffons earn their 30th victory of the season with the win while senior Jackie Bishop improves to 20-7 on the season.

After getting down 1-0 after the first inning the Griffons responded nicely with four runs on six hits in the second inning. Brooke Schaben tied the score at one with a lead of homer. Taylor Anding singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kat Steponovich. Katie Kosterman doubled to centerfield and then Anding and Kosterman scored on a single to right center by Michelle Stevenson making the score 3-1. Later in the inning Stevenson scored on a Bre Fleschner single to shortstop giving the Griffons the 4-1 lead after two.

The score stayed that way until the fourth when the Griffons strung something together with two outs. Fleschner got hit by a pitch and scored after back-to-back singles by Washington and Gillaspy giving the Griffons a 5-1 lead after four. In the 5th Anding led off with her fourth homer of the season putting one more run on the scoreboard for the Griffons. The Griffons used the long ball once again in the 7th when Klosterman blasted her second homer of the season giving the Griffons an 8-1 lead after six and a half.

Taylor Schaben came in to relieve Bishop going two innings giving up one walk with one strikeout.

The Griffons had 15 hits in the game with all nine players getting a hit. Anding led the way going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Fleschner, Washington and Kosterman all had two hits as well.

The Blue Tigers had six hits with Kircher and Shantae Duren each getting two. Jessica Cook pitched just two innings in the loss. She went two innings giving up six hits and four earned runs. Alyssa Laudwig went five innings in relief giving up nine hits and four earned runs. Cook falls to 2-15 with the loss.

Game 2
MWSU 12
LU 2 (5 innings)

The Griffons jumped all over the Blue Tigers in game two scoring 11 runs in the first three innings of play picking up a 12-2 run rule victory. The Griffons pounded out 13 hits with eight extra bases hits in the contest. Gillaspy went 3-for-3 with five RBI, two runs scored on a double and two home runs. She has hit 11 home runs on the season.

In the first inning Fleschner led off with a double down the right field line and Washington got hit by a pitch. Gillaspy then blasted her first homer of the game giving the Griffons the 3-0 lead. Anding and Klosterman got hit by a pitch and advanced to second and third. Stevenson hit a sac fly and Rathman doubled giving the Griffons the 5-0 lead after one inning.

In the second two more home runs gave the Griffons an 8-0 lead after two. Gillaspy hit a solo homer and Steponovich hit her 7th homer of the year scoring Anding. In the third five more hits by the Griffons scored three more run. Washington and Gillaspy each got RBI hits while Washington scored on a passed ball.

The score stayed that way until Megan Korgie got her first hit of her career. She hit a double in the fifth scoring Washington giving the Griffons the 12-0 lead. Janie Smith gave up two runs on two hits in the 5th but picked up the victory. Smith improved to 11-8 going all five innings giving up four hits and one earned run with three strikeouts.

Washington and Stevenson both had two hits in the game. Washington scored three runs while Anding scored two.

The Blue Tigers fall to 3-34 on the season and 0-22 in MIAA play. They had four hits as Alyssa Laudwig got the loss. She gave up two hits and three runs.

The Griffons return to action on Friday, April 25 when they host Northeastern State University in an MIAA doubleheader. Game time is set for 4:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —