The Missouri Western men’s golf team sits in 12th after day one of the Washburn Invitational. The Griffons fired a two round total of 620 (308-312) which is six strokes ahead of William Jewell and five strokes behind Lincoln. The leader of the event is Central Oklahoma with a 582 (290-292) which is five strokes better than Henderson State.

The Griffons are led by Tyler Gast who is in a tie for 15th with a day one total of 149 (75-74). He is four strokes back of the leader Gil Debusscher of Henderson State. Derek Hawkins is in a tie for 52 with a 157 (78-79) while Scott Sheldon sits in a tie for 56th with a 158 (81-77).  James O’Brien and Evan McCarthy fired 159 and 160 respectively while Miles Jumps played as an individual firing 165.

The Griffons will wrap up the event tomorrow playing the final 18-holes.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team won the final game of a four game series at Emporia State by shutting out the Hornets 8-0.

Jake Jones and Tyler Sanders combined for the shutout giving up just five hits while striking out five. Jones picked up his second victory of the season while Sanders picked up his third save.

The Griffons improve to 9-11 on the season and 6-8 in MIAA play. The Griffons return to MIAA action on Friday, March 21st opening up a four game series with Central Oklahoma. Game time is set for 2:00 pm in St. Joseph, Mo.

The Griffons opened up the scoring in the first when Trevor LaHonta got hit by a pitch and scored on a double by David Chew. Chew advanced to third on a Ryan Degner groundout and scored on a Jake Schrader sacrifice fly giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead.

In the third the Griffons got another run when Chew singled to left field and scored on an error by the Hornets thirdbaseman. After three the Griffons led 3-0. The Griffons blew things open in the 5th scoring three runs on three hits which included singles by Dylan Koch, LaHonta and Schrader. After five innings it was 6-0 Missouri Western.

The Griffons scored on more run in the 6th and one in the 9th taking the shutout victory. The Griffons had 11 hits in teh game with the top four hitters getting seven of those hits. Chew went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI while LaHonta had two hits and two runs scored.

The Hornets fall to 14-7 on the season and 10-6 in MIAA play as they took 3-of-4.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team continued to struggle in MIAA play falling in a doubleheader against the Emporia State Hornets. The Griffons have lost eight of its last nine MIAA games and now sit at 8-11 overall and 5-8 in MIAA play.

Game 1
Emporia State 8
Missouri Western 4

In game one the Griffons fave up all eight runs in the first three innings of play falling 8-4. The Griffons had just eight hits while the Hornets had five of their ten hits in the first inning of play.

The Hornets jumped all over the Griffons in the first inning getting four hits and four runs claiming a 4-0 lead. The Griffons got on the board in the second inning when Matt Russell hit is first career homer cutting the ESU lead to 4-1 after two and a half. The Hornets scored two more in the second inning capitalizing on an MWSU error claiming the 6-1 lead after two.

The Griffons continued to play hard getting two back in the third as Dylan Koch doubled and scored on a Trevor LaHonta single. Cody Childs also scored in the inning on a Matt Estes sacrifice fly. Once again the Hornets put up runs scoring two on four hits going up 8-3 after three.

The Griffons got one more run in the fourth when David Chew homered. That was all the Griffons would get in the game. Five different Griffons had hits in the game while Mason Queen falls to 1-3 going one inning. He gave up five his and five earned runs while Josh Lansangan pitched three innings giving up five hits and two earned run.

Game 2
Emporia State 5
Missouri Western 1

In game two the Griffons hurt themselves in the field committing four errors. They did outhit the Hornets six to four but fell 5-1 in the contest.

The Griffons got on the board first in the second game scoring a run in the second when Cody Childs doubled in Jake Schrader. The rest of the game belonged to the Hornets as they scored five unanswered run taking the game.

Ryan Degner had three hits in the contest while Tyler Tuepker picked up the loss going three innings. He gave up three hits and two earned runs. he falls to 2-2 with the loss. Tyler Sanders pitched three innings giving up one hit and two earned runs with three strikeouts.

The two teams wrap up their four game series on Sunday, March 16 at 12 pm with a single nine inning game.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team picked up a much need sweep against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats on Saturday afternoon. Jackie Bishop threw her second no hitter of the season and third of her career in game one helping the Griffons to a 6-0 victory before getting a 7-2 victory in game two. The Griffons improve to 14-10 overall and 4-6 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 6
SBU 0

In game one Jackie Bishop threw her second no hitter of the season and third of her career in a 6-0 victory over the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. The Griffons got all the runs they would need in the first scoring two runs. Bre Fleschner and Tiffany Gillaspy singled and then scored on a Kailey Green single up the middle giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead after one.

The Griffons put two more on the board in the 4th when Michelle Stevenson and Taylor Anding both got RBI hits giving the Griffons a 4-0 lead after four. The Griffons put two more on the board in the game as Green singled in Gillaspy in the fifth and Kat Steponovich hit in Brooke Schaben in the sixth giving the Griffons the 6-0 victory.

Bishop improves to 9-4 with the victory. She struckout nine and walked just two. The Griffons had eight hits in the game with Kailey Green getting three with two RBI and a run scored.

Game 2
MWSU 7
SBU 2

In game two the Griffons continued to play well pounding out 12 hits and getting a solid outing in the circle from Janie Smith who improves to 5-6 on the season with the victory. She went all seven innings giving up four hits and one earned run while striking out four.

The Griffons got on the board in the 2nd inning when they got three hits. Smith led of with a single and advanced to second on an error by SBU centerfielder. Steponovich then singled her in giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead.

SBU responded in the bottom of the third getting two htis and capitalizing on an error by Gillaspy giving them a 2-1 lead after three.

The Griffons responded nicely scoring four runs on four hits. Steponovich, Stevenson, Morgan Rathmann and Bre Fleschner all got hits in the inning. Fleschner got a two RBI hit giving the Griffons the 5-2 lead after four innings.

The score stayed that way until the 6th when Gillaspy doubled in Rathmann and Brooke Schaben giving the Griffons the 7-2 lead. That would be all the Griffons would need as they got their first MIAA sweep of the season.

Steponovich led the way for the Griffons in game two with three hits while Katie Kosterman and Smith both had two.

The Griffons return to action on Wednesday, March 19 with a doubleheader against Winona State in St. Joseph, Mo. Game time is set for 1:00 pm at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team gave up a four run third inning falling 7-3 in the series opener against the Emporia State Hornets on Friday night at the Trusler Sports Complex. The Griffons out hit the Hornets 13-9 with Trevor LaHonta and Cody Childs got collecting four. The Griffons fall to 8-9 overall and 5-6 in MIAA play.

The Hornets got single runs in the first and second before exploding for four runs in the third inning.  The Griffons cut the Hornet lead to 2-1 in the third getting three hits in the inning. Matt Russell, Childs and LaHonta all had hits in the innings.

In the Hornet third Zach Stucky had the big hit, an RBI double that made it 4-1 with one out.  The Griffons pulled within 6-2 in the top of the seventh when Russell singled and scored again but ESU’s see Aaron Gile blasted a solo homer run in the bottom of the 7th pushing the lead back to five.

The Griffons scored one run in the ninth but that would be it as they have now lost six of their last seven MIAA games. Grant Woods picked up the loss going six innings. He gave up seven hits and five earned runs with five earned run. He struggled with his control walking five and hitting two batters.

Price Jacobs went two for five with a run scored and an RBI while Gile was two for two with two walks, a triple, and a homer.  Todd Schultz was one for three with two RBI as the bottom four batters in the Hornet line up went a combined six for 15 with five RBI and four runs scored.

Jarred Miller scattered 11 hits over 7.0 innings to earn the win as he recorded four strikeouts and no walks. He is now 2-2 on the season.

The Hornets and Griffons will continue their four game series on Saturday with a double header beginning at 1:00 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team continued MIAA play splitting with the Central Missouri Jennies on Friday afternoon. The Griffons picked up a 6-2 victory in game one before falling 7-6 in walk off fashion in game two. The Griffons were led on the day by Tiffany Gillaspy going 5-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBI. Freshman Sydney Washington went 3-for-7 with three runs scored and four RBI while fellow freshman Morgan Rathmann went 4-for-5 with two runs scored. The Griffons are 12-10 overall and 2-6 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 6
UCM 2

the Griffons pounded out 11 hits using home runs by Sydney Washington and Tiffany Gillaspy picking up a 6-2 victory. Despite committing four errors in the contest the Griffons were able to strand eight Jennies on base. Jackie Bishop picked up her eighth victory of the season going all seven innings giving up seven hits and striking out seven and walking just one.

The Griffons got on the board in the first getting three hits. Washington and Gillaspy got back-to-back hits and then Brooke Schaben singled them in with two outs giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead. UCM battled right back as Braylyn Bivens led off with a double and scored on an Alex Gregor double cutting the Griffons lead to 2-1.

The score stayed that way until the third when Washington led off with her fourth homer of the season giving the Griffons the 3-1 lead. In the fourth the Jennies got a homer from Kristen Heil cutting the Griffons lead to 3-2 after four innings.

In the 5th the Griffons responded when Gillaspy hit her 5th homer of the season giving the Griffons the 4-2 lead. The Jennies put runners on in the fifth and sixth but the Griffons got out of the jam. In the 7th MWSU got back-to-back hits from Gillaspy and Kailey Green and they both scored on a throwing error by UCM pitcher Jackie Prater giving MWSU the 6-2 lead.

That was all the Griffons would need as they won 6-2. Gillaspy led the way getting with four hits and three runs scored while Washington, Schaben and Morgan Rathmann all had two hits.

UCM had seven hits with Gregor leading the way with three hits. Jakki Prater went all seven innings giving up 11 hits and four earned run with two strikouts. She falls to 6-3 on the season.

Game 2
UCM 7
MWSU 6 (8 innings)

Missouri Western got on the board first in the second inning, scoring four times off of UCM starter, Katie Shockley. Three two out hits by the Griffons which included a two RBI single by Washington sparked the Griffons four run inning.

UCM responded with five runs of its own in the bottom half of the second, led by a three-run homerun off the bat of Prater. In the third Braylyn Bivens, singled home Jessica Neely bumping the Jennies’ lead to 6-4.

Missouri Western knotted the game up in the top of the seventh, via a sacrifice fly by Washington and an throwing error on Heil.

The Jennies won the game in the bottom of the eighth inning after Lindsey Dawson led the inning off with a single and scored on a double to left centerfield by Groeger.

Shockley picked up her second straight win improving to 2-1. The junior went all eight innings, allowing seven hits on six runs (four earned), walking four and fanning five batters. UCM improves to 8-8 overall and 3-3 in MIAA play. Bivens had three hits while Dawson, Groeger, Prater and Ali Jo Rogers all had two.

Janie Smith struggled in the circle going just 2.1 innings giving up seven hits. She did not get much help from her defense as she gave up just one earned run. Bishop picked up the loss going 4.2 innings giving five hits and one earned run with three strikeouts. The Griffons had seven hits with Rathmann leading the way with two hits and two runs scored.

The Griffons return to MIAA play on Saturday, March 15 with a doubleheader against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats in Bolivar, Mo. Game time is set for 1 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western tennis team fell in their MIAA opener by a score of 9-0 against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. The Griffons fall to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in MIAA play. The Lopers improve 8-3 on the season and 1-1 in MIAA play.

The Griffons got a win in every set but one but were unable to get any victories. Ceara Boldridge was the closest Griffon as she fell 7-5 and 6-2 against Emily Fink at No. 4 singles. Kayla Dysart also played well at No. 1 singles falling by scores of 6-2 and 6-3 against Vanessa Gunawan.

In doubles against the pair of Denise Chiao and Lindsay Beger were the closest falling 8-2 against Fink and Kristin Weems. The Griffons fell in both No. 1 and No. 3 doubles 8-1.

The Griffons return MIAA play on Saturday, March 15 with a home match against the Fort Hays State University at 10:00 am at the Noyes Tennis Center in St. Joseph, Mo.

Singles competition
1. Gunawan,Vanessa (UNK) def. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Weems,Kristin (UNK) def. Smith,Meara (MWSU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Jimenez,Paula (UNK) def. Chiao,Denise (MWSU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Fink,Emily (UNK) def. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 7-5, 6-2
5. Norfolk,Britni (UNK) def. Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Emery,Kari (UNK) def. Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Gunawan,Vanessa/Emery,Kari (UNK) def. Smith,Meara/Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 8-1
2. Fink,Emily/Weems,Kristin (UNK) def. Chiao,Denise/Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) 8-2
3. Jimenez,Paula/Hoekstra,Renee (UNK) def. Dysart,Kayla/Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) 8-1

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s tennis team played hard but fell 5-4 against the McPherson Bulldogs. The Griffons won three of the six singles matches and one of the doubles matches. The Griffons fell in a tiebreaker at No. 2 singles and won in a tiebreacker at No. 4 and No. 5 singles. The Griffons fall to 0-3 on the season and return to action on Friday, March 14 taking on the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers in their first MIAA match of the season. Match time is set for 12:00 pm in St. Joseph, Mo. at the Noyes Tennis Courts.

The Griffons opened up the day picking up one point in doubles competition. The Griffons got an 8-2 victory at No. 3 doubles from Kayla Dysart and Alyssa Dougan as they defeated Kara Wright and Ashley Allmon 8-2.

In singles competition the Griffons played hard but fell at the 1-3 positions. Dysart fell 6-3, 6-4 against Emma Sheehan at No. 1 singles while Meara Smith fell 1-6, 6-0, 10-6 in a tiebreaker at No. 2 singles.

Denise Chiao fell 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.

The Griffons won in the 4-6 positions with Ceara Boldridge defeating Brittany Gourlay 6-2, 3-6, 10-4 at No. 4 singles.
Lindsay Beger won in thrilling fashion over Claire Crossman at No. 5 singles by scores of 3-6, 7-6 (10-8) and 29-27 before Alyssa Dougan defeated Kara Wright 6-1, 6-3 at No. 6 singles.

Singles competition
1. Sheehan,Emma (MC) def. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Vorhess,Nichole (MC) def. Smith,Meara (MWSU) 1-6, 6-0, 10-6
3. Vorhess,Brooke (MC) def. Chiao,Denise (MWSU) 6-3, 6-0
4. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) def. Gourlay,Brittany (MC) 6-2, 3-6, 10-4
5. Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) def. Crossman,Claire (MC) 3-6, 7-6 (10-8), 29-27
6. Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) def. Wright,Kara (MC) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Vorhess,Brooke/Vorhess,Nichole (MC) def. Smith,Meara/Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 8-3
2. Sheehan,Emma/Gourlay,Brittany (MC) def. Chiao,Denise/Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) 8-1
3. Dysart,Kayla/Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) def. Wright,Kara/Allmon,Ashley (MC) 8-2

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western defeated Rockhurst University 13-7 Tuesday evening at the Spring Sports Complex.

The win is the second in a row for the Griffons, who split with Washburn on Monday.

Missouri Western jumped on the scoreboard early after Rockhurst went scoreless in the top of the first.

After Trevor LaHonta walked, Jeremy Monty singled to center field to move LaHonta to third. Jake Schrader’s single scored LaHonta and oved Monty to third. The Griffons eventually added three more runs to go up 4-0 after one inning.

David Chew added an RBI in the third inning and the Griffons took a 5-0 lead after three. Missouri Western put up three more runs in the fourth inning and took a commanding 7-0 advantage halfway through the game.

But the Hawks came back in the fifth and sixth innings.

Rockhurst added three runs in both innings to come back and cut the lead down to one run. Rockhurst tied the game at seven in the top of the seventh inning when Calin McCourt singled to left fied for an RBI that scored Dalton Thompson.

The 7-7 tie didn’t last long, as the Griffons added two runs in the bottom of the seventh and another four runs in the eighth innings to add insurance.

Degner’s single and Chew’s single started the seventh off with a score after Rockhurst had two errors. In the eighth inning, Degner hit a two-run homer followed by Will Carter’s double to left field after Chew walked. The double scored Chew, and Carter eventually scored after Dylan Koch hit a single to right field.

Monty went 2 of 5 with an RBI. Chew was 2 of 3 with three RBI. Carter also had three RBI. Tyler Tuepker had the win for the Griffons, who are 8-8.

Missouri Western takes a trip to Emporia, Kan. next to play Emporia State on Friday, March 14 for four games against the Hornets.

— MWSU Sports Information —