The Missouri Western softball team used a 7th inning rally in game two helping them to a walk off doubleheader sweep over the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Saturday afternoon. The Griffons won game one 5-1 behind the pitching of Jackie Bishop before a Sydney Washington single and an error by the UNK center fielder helped Missouri Western win game two 6-5. The Missouri Western softball team now sits 26-14 overall and 11-7 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 5
UNK 1

The Griffons used a five run third inning earning a 5-1 victory while pounding out 10 hits. Bishop went the complete game giving up one hit and one earned run while striking out 10 and giving up one earned run. She improves to 17-6 with the victory.

The Griffons stranded the bases loaded in the first inning but were able to capitalize on two Loper errors and three hits. Bre Fleschner led off the inning getting hit by a pitch and then Sydney Washington and Tiffany Gillaspy reached on back-to-back errors by the Loper second baseman. Fleschner scored on the second error giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead. Later in the inning Taylor Anding hit a bases clearing double giving the Griffons the 4-0 lead. Katie Klosterman later singled in Anding giving the Griffons the 5-0 lead.

The rest of the game belonged to Bishop as the Lopers did not get a hit until the seventh inning when Kate Ruwe hit a solo homer.

The Griffons were led by Fleschner going 3-for-3 with a run scored while Gillaspy went 2-for-4. Anding went 1-for-2 with three RBI.

Taryn Trosper falls to 2-11 giving up 10 hits and one earned runs with three strikeouts.

Game 2
MWSU 6
UNK 5

The Griffons rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning scoring two runs helping them to a 6-5 walk off victory helping them to their sixth straight victory.

Missouri Western opened up the scoring in the 1st inning getting two hits. Fleschner led off with a walk and scored on a Washington double to right center. Washington scored right after on a Gillaspy single to left field.

In the 3rd the Griffons scored another run when Washing singled to right field and stole two bases including home giving them the 3-0 lead after three.

In the 4th the Lopers scored two runs on one hit cutting the Griffons lead to 3-2 after three and a half innings of play. In their half of the 4th Kat Steponovich blasted her 5th homer of the season giving the Griffons the 4-2 lead after four.

In the 5th the Lopers got another run when Kate Ruwe singled in Mallory Noakes cutting the MWSU lead to 4-3. The Lopers final got the lead in the 6th on three hits. Jen Kramer led off with a single and then Emilee Jonas tripled down the right field line tying the score at four. Taylre Keenan then singled in Jonas giving the UNK the 6-5 lead.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the 7th when Stevenson led off with a single. With one out Fleschner singled to center and then Washington singled to center scoring Stevenson. Fleschner scored on the same play on an error by the center fielder giving the Griffons the win.

Janie Smith got the victory for the Griffons giving up six hits and five earned runs with three strikeouts. She improves to 9-8 with the victory. The Griffons had eight hits with Washington going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.

The Lopers fall 8-22 overall and 6-12 in MIAA play. They had six hits with Keenan and Ruwe each getting two hits. Brittnie Kreiser falls to 4-6 on the season going 6.1 innings giving up five earned runs with two strikeouts.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, April 6 with a non-conference doubleheader against the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Game time is set for 3:00 pm in Maryville, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western senior pitcher Jackie Bishop picked up two victories on Friday afternoon as the Griffon softball team defeated Fort Hays State, 3-0 and 5-2.

Bishop improves her improves to 16-6 on the season while the Griffons improve to 24-14 overall and 9-7 in MIAA play. Bishop struck out 17 batters while giving up eight hits and two earned runs.

The Griffons return to action on Saturday, April 5 with an MIAA doubleheader against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. Game time is set for 12 pm.

Game 1
MWSU 3
FHSU 0

Missouri Western pounded eight hits while getting a complete game shutout from Jackie Bishop. It was her nine shutout of the season and 20th complete game. Bishop struck out 11 Tigers giving up just three hits in 3-0 victory. She improves to 15-6 with the victory.

The Griffons got all the runs they would need in the first inning when Tiffany Gillaspy smashed her 9th homer of the season giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead.

In the fourth the Griffons got another run when Bre Fleschner singled in Katie Klosterman with two outs. Klosterman doubled to center field earlier in the inning. The Griffons tacked on one more in the 5th when Brooke Schaben and Taylor Anding hit back-to-back one out singles. Later in the inning Schaben scored on a fielder’s choice by Stevenson giving the Griffons the 3-0 victory.

Schaben and Klosterman each each had two hits in the game while Fleschner, Gillaspy and Stevenson all got RBIs.

The Tigers had three hits with Bianca Adame getting two from the lead off position. Paxton Duran falls to 13-6 going six innings. She gave up eight hits and three earned runs while striking out seven.

Game 2
MWSU 5
FHSU 2

The Griffons put together a five run second inning in game two earning a 5-2 victory over the Fort Hays State Tigers. Bishop went 5.1 innings giving up five hits and two earned runs while striking out six. Janie Smith went 1.2 innings giving up one hit with three strikeouts.

The Griffons got five hits in the second inning with Gillaspy getting a two RBI double and Brooke Schaben hitting her third home run of the season giving the Griffons a 5-0 lead after two innings of play.

The Tigers got three straight doubles in the 6th but it would be to late as they fall to 22-15 overall and 11-9 in MIAA play.

The Griffons had seven hits with Gillaspy goring 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

The Tigers had six hits with Danie Brinkman going 2-for-2 while Jenna Lange went 2-for-3. Sarah Cochran went 1.2 innings in the loss. She gave up three hits and four earned runs with one strikeout. Kelsey Kimminau went 4.1 innings giving up four hits and one earned run.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western tennis team fell 7-2 in an MIAA home contest against the Lindenwood Lions on Friday afternoon.

The Griffons picked up victories from Lindsay Beger at No. 5 singles by scores of 6-4, 5-7 and 7-6 (10-6) and by No. 3 doubles of Meara Smith and Alyssa Dougan by a score 8-4 over Diana Castro and Clara Piccamiglio.

The Griffons fall to 0-12 on the season and 0-7 in MIAA play. The Griffons return to action on Monday, April 7 when they travel to Liberty, Mo. to take on the William Jewell Cardinals in non-conference action. Match time is set for 3 pm.

The Griffons lost two sets by tie breaker which was at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles. At No. 3 singles Denise Chiao fell 7-5, 7-6 (9-4) while at No. 2 doubles Chiao and Beger fell 9-8 (7-3) against Daria Ivanova and Mariona Pinol.

Singles competition

1. Marras, Gloria (LWU) def. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 6-3, 6-2
2. Piccamiglio, Clara (LWU) def. Smith,Meara (MWSU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Ivanova, Daria (LWU) def. Chiao,Denise (MWSU) 7-5, 7-6 (9-4)
4. Pinol,Mariona (LWU) def. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 6-4, retired
5. Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) def. Castro, Diana (LWU) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (10-6)
6. Medvedeva,Alexandra (LWU) def. Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) 7-5, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Marras, Gloria/Medvedeva,Alexandra (LWU) def. Dysart,Kayla/Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 8-6
2. Ivanova, Daria/Pinol,Mariona (LWU) def. Chiao,Denise/Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) 9-8 (7-3)
3. Smith,Meara/Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) def. Castro, Diana/Piccamiglio, Clara (LWU) 8-4

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team has changed its four-game series at Lincoln this weekend in Jefferson City.

The two teams were scheduled to open the series on Friday, but that game has been moved to Sunday afternoon.

The Griffons and Blue Tigers will open the series on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. with a doubleheader and then play another doubleheader Sunday beginning at 12:00 p.m.

Missouri Western is 15-14 this season and 11-11 in the MIAA, while Lincoln is 1-23 and 0-20 in league play.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western’s Tiffany Gillaspy has been named the MIAA/AstroTurf Hitter of the Week for the second time this season which was announced earlier today by the MIAA office.

Gillaspy had an outstanding weekend hitting .615 helping the Griffons to a 3-1 record in MIAA play. She had a 1.154 slugging percentage to goal ong with a .643 on base percentage.

On Saturday in the Griffons 3-2 victory over Pittsburg State she hit a game tying home run in the bottom of the sixth that helped the Griffons to their first come from behind victory of the season and went 3-for-4 in game two.

On Sunday against the Missouri Southern Lions she had four hits to go with three runs scored and six RBI and in game two she had a career best five RBI in an 11-2 run rule victory which included a grand slam home run.

On the season she leads the Griffons with a .368 batting average, 42 hits, 28 RBI and 27 runs scored.

The 5-6 junior infielder is a native of Johnston, Iowa where she competed at Southeast Polk High School.

The Griffons are now 22-14 overall and return home this weekend with two more home doubleheaders.  On Friday, Fort Hays State will be here at 4 PM followed by a noon doubleheader with Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.  Admission is FREE!

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s golf team fired a 309 on the final day of the UCO Broncho Invitational helping them to a 6th place finish.

The Griffons finished with a three round total of 941 (317-315-309) which was one stroke better than Missouri Southern (942) and 12 stokes back of Nebraska-Kearney and Lindenwood who both shot 929. The winner of the event was host school Central Oklahoma firing a 891 (291-296-304) which was five strokes ahead of Central Missouri, 896 (306-287-303).

Individually James O’Brien (77-77-77) and Scott Sheldon (79-75-77) finished in a tie for 21st firing a three round total of 231. Evan McCarthy finished in a tie for 29th with a 237 (81-82-74) while Tyler Gast finished with a 242 (80-81-81). Derek Hawkins finished with a 247 (82-82-83). Dyaln Queen played as an individual finishing with a 246 (81-79-86).

The winner of the event was Teddy Jones of Central Missouri with a three round total of 217 (76-69-72). He was one stroke ahead of Central Oklahoma’s Eric Kline and Northeastern State’s Brad Hager who both shot 218.

Next week the Griffons men head to Mountain Home, Arkansas to compete in the Henderson State Invitational April 7-8.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western tennis team continued to fall in close matches, this time against the Truman State Bulldogs in non-conference action by a score of 5-4. All of the matches were close but unfortunately the Griffons could not get another victory as they remain winless as a team on the season. They sit at 0-11 with the lost. The Griffons return to MIAA play on Friday, April 4 when they take on the Lindenwood Lions at 3 pm at the Noyes Tennis Courts.

Things looked good for the Griffons early as they took two of the three doubles matches and should have had the third match. Kayla Dysart and Ceara Boldridge defeated Jessica Gennuso and Hannah Runez 8-4 at No. 1 doubles while Denise Chiao and Lindsay Beger defeated Savannah Everett and Lauren Jin at No. 2 doubles.

Meara Smith and Alyssa Dougan started out good taking a 5-0 lead over Marisa Thome and Elisa Mousseau but struggled putting the match away. The Griffons lost eight of the final nine sets falling 8-6 against the Bulldog duo at No. 3 singles. Despite the loss the Griffons still led 2-1 going into singles competition.

Missouri Western needed just three victories in singles competition to pick up their first team win of the season. The Griffons could not get it done winning just two of the six matches. Dysart beat Gennuso 6-4 and 7-5 at No. 1 singles while Boldridge defeated Runez 6-2 and 6-2 at No. 4 singles. The rest of the singles matches were close but the Griffons could not get a victory.

After winning the first set 6-3 Smith would fall 6-4 and 6-2 in the final two sets against Jin at No. 2 singles. Thome defeated Chiao 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3 singles while Everett defeated Beger 6-4, 6-4 at No. 5 singles. Holly Cantalupo got the final point for the Bulldogs defeating Dougan 6-4, 6-3 at No. 6 singles.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western men’s golfer Brice Garnett is one of ten Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association legends that have been elected to the MIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2014, the conference office announced on MOnday.

Brice Garnett, Men’s Golf Athlete
Missouri Western, 2002-06

NCAA Division II All America, 2004, 2005, 2006; Placed 4th at Division II National Championships in Savannah, GA, 2005; Placed 62nd at Division II National Championships in Deland, FL, 2004; NCAA Division II All Region, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006; NCAA Division II Super Regional Champion, 2004, 2005; MIAA All Conference,  2003, 2004, 2005, 2006; MIAA Conference Champion, 2004, 2005, 2006; 12 All-time Collegiate Wins; 6 Collegiate Wins in a Row; 1st Ever MIAA Player of the Year, 2006; Graduated Cum-Laude, Business Finance, 2006; MWSU Male Student Athlete of the Year, 2005, 2006; Ken B. Jones MIAA Student Athlete of the Year Finalist, 2006; Ken B. Jones MIAA Student Athlete of the Year Nominee, 2005; MIAA All Academic, 2004, 2005, 2006; Presidential Honor Roll, 2004, 2005; Deans Honor Roll, 2003, 2005, 2006; Financial Executive Institute Award, 2006. After graduation, went on the play professionally on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series. After the first five years on the tour, compiled an impressive 56 of 61 cuts made, finishing inside the top 20 on the money list each year, and inside the top 10 three of the five years. Finished top five in 15 of the 56 cuts made. Was named Adams Tour Rookie of the Year in 2006, in only 10 events, and won first professional event on Adams Tour at Mary Bird Perkins Merrill Lynch Open in Baton Rouge, LA in 2010.  Played way through 2009 PGA Qualifying School finishing 78th at Final Stage receiving Nationwide Tour status, and played 14 events on the Nationwide Tour in 2010. Garnett is in his first season on the PGA Tour where he has played in 12 events finishing in the top-25 once and making 10 of the 12 cuts. He finised in a tie for 19th at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Febraury 29, 2014 firing a three under 284 for the tournament. On March 30th he finished in a tie for 31st with a one over 289 at the Valero Texas Open. He currently sits in 111th place in the Fedexcup Standings.

Other legends that will be inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame are as follows:

Chuck Broyles, Football Coach/Athletic Administrator
Pittsburg State, 1990-2010

Don Corbett, Men’s Basketball Coach
Lincoln, 1971-79

Shelley (Foster) Duffey, Women’s Basketball Athlete
Washburn, 1991-95

Kendall Gammon, Football Athlete
Pittsburg State, 1989-1991

Brad Hill, Baseball Coach
Central Missouri, 1995-2003

Rick Ledjevich, Baseball Athlete
Central Missouri, 1993-94

Heather Leverington, Women’s Track and Field Athlete
Emporia State, 1997-2002

Michael Obertop, Men’s Tennis Athlete
Southwest Baptist, 1991-94

Rhesa Sumrell, Softball Coach
Central Missouri, 1988-2006 & Missouri Western 1976-87

This year’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on June 5, 2014 at the Kansas City Public Library – Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street in Kansas City, Mo.

The event will be held in the Truman Forum Auditorium.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s golf team sits in 7th place after round one of the 12 team UCO Broncho Invitational which is being played at Gallardia Golf Club. The Griffons fired a 632 (317-315) which is two strokes ahead of Fort Hays State University 634 (325-309) and two strokes back of Missouri Southern, 630 (326-304). The leader of the event is host Central Oklahoma with a 587 (291-296) which is six strokes better than Central Missouri who fired a 593 (306-287).

The Griffons are led through round day one by James O’Brien (77-77) and Scott Sheldon (79-75) both firing 154 putting them in a tie for 154th. Tyler Gast (80-81) fired a 161 while Evean McCarthy and Derek Hawkins fired 163 (81-82) and 164 (82-82) respectively. Dylan Queen is playing as an individual firing 160 (81-79).

Eric Kline (70-73) of Central Oklahoma and  Brad Hager (71-72) of Northeastern State are teid for the lead with 143’s. Logan Gray of UCO is in third with firing 144 (73-71).

The final 18-holes of the event will be played on Tuesday, April 1st.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s golf team struggled in windy conditions on the final day of the Tiburon Invite in Omaha, Neb. as they finished eighth.  The Griffons fired a two day total of 718 (357-361) which was 10 strokes better than Fort Hays State and one stroke back of Winona State. The winner of the event was Iowa Western Community College firing a two round total of 662 which included a day two total of 330.

The Griffons were led by freshman Madison Romjue who fired a 174 (86-88) tying for 14th place. Anna Kloeppel and Callie Wilson fired 178 (90-88) and 179 (89-90) respectively while Amber Chivington and Shelby Stone both fired 190.

The winner of the event was Joana Yanez of Iowa Western firing a 162 (78-84). Katie Kruchten of St. Cloud State finished in second with a 165 (86-79).

The Griffons will play their final event until the MIAA Championships on Monday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 8. They travel to Branson, Mo. to participate in the Henderson State Invitational. They will play the event at the Branson Creek Golf Club.

— MWSU Sports Information —