The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished in 11th place at the Dave Falconer Memorial Invite firing a two day total of 623 (311-312). The finished one stroke ahead of Pittsburg State for 12th and five strokes back of Southern Arkansas for 10th. The winner of the event was Henderson State who fired a two day total of 580 (287-293). They were six strokes better than Southwestern Oklahoma State.

Scott Sheldon was the top Griffon finisher firing a 153 (80-73) which put him in a tie for 37th. Derek Hawksin fired a 158 while Evan McCarthy and james O’Brien finished with 159 and 162 respectively. Tyler Gast fired a 162 as well. Individually Dylan Watts finished with a 157 tying him for 59th.

The winner of the event was Michael Hearne of Southern Nazarene University with a 140 (68-72).

The Griffons return to action on Monday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 18 participatinig in the Washburn Invitational at the Topeka Country Club in Topeka, Kan.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s golf team finished 13th at the UCO Kickingbird Classic held at Kickingbird Golf Course. The Griffons fired a two round 703 (348-355) which was eight strokes back Nebraska-Kearney who shot a 695 (334-361). The winner of the event was Oklahoma Christian who fired a 611 (316-295) which was two shots better than Arkansas Tech who fired a 613 (306-307).

The Griffons were led by sophomore Callie Wilson and freshman Madison Romjue who both fired 174’s. Wilson fired an 85-89 while Romjue fired an 82-92. Anna Kloeppel and Amber Chivington finished with 179 (92-87) and 180 (89-91) while Shelby Stone finished with a 185 (97-88).

Elia Folch of Oklahoma City University won the event with a 145 (72-73) which was three strokes ahead of Anna Arrese Cortadel of Oklahoma Christian and Taylor Neidy of Central Oklahoma.

The Griffons return to action on Sunday, March 23 and Monday, March 24
when they host the MWSU Golf Invitational. The event will be played at the St. Joseph Country Club.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team was able to snap a five game losing skid splitting a pair of one run games in the final two games of their series with Washburn. The Griffons fell in game one 4-3 before mounting a comeback in game two winning 12-11. The Griffons are now 7-8 overall and 5-5 in MIAA play.

Game 1
Washburn 4
Missouri Western 3

The Griffons tried mounting a rally in game one but came up short stranding David Chew at third base in the bottom of the 7th inning. The Griffons battled from behind the whole game losing their fifth straight.

In the top of the first inning the Ichabods got things going getting two hits and scoring one run. Wes Jones singled to right field and then scored on a triple to right center by Matt Jackson.

The Griffons got at least one runner on base in every inning which included stranding two on in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the first the Griffons stranded a lea doff double by Trevor LaHonta. In the second the Griffons tied the game when Chew tripled and scored on a passed ball.

In the fourth inning the Ichabods struck out swinging and later scored on a bunt single by Kyle Carnahan. The Griffons got out of the inning when Connor Crimmins flied out to right field and Kell was thrown out at the plate by LaHonta.

In the fifth Washburn tacked on another run when Wes Jones grounded to second base scoring T. Herrington after a triple. The score was 4-1 after four and a half innings. In the bottom of the fifth the Griffons got one back when Cody Childs led off with a single and then scored on a passed ball making it 4-2 after five.

In the sixth the Griffons stranded two and in the seventh they they cut the score to 4-3 off a Chew double but he was stranded at third ending the game.

The Griffons had seven hits in the game with Chew and Childs each getting two. Mason Queen got the loss going four innings. He gave up five hits and one earned run. He falls to 1-2 on the season.

The Ichabods had six hits with Jones going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Eric Shmid got the win going five innings. He gave up four hits and two runs while striking out six. AJ Green picked up his first hit of the season going one inning giving up two hits and one earned run.

Game 2
Missouri Western 12
Washburn 11

In a poorly pitched final game of the four game series the Missouri Western baseball team snapped a five game losing streak picking up a 12-11 victory. The two teams combined for 21 hits and 23 runs while using 11 pitchers that walked 20 batters. The Griffons also used the long ball to mount the comeback.

In the first inning Washburn scored four two out runs on three hits. The big hit came from Cimmines who doubled to right center scoring three runs. The Griffons responded in their half of the first when Jake Schrader blasted his fifth homer of the season to right center which scored Jeremy Monty. After on the Ichabods led 4-2.

In the second the Ichabods plated three more runs on two hits taking a 7-2 lead after two and a half innings of play. The Griffons once again responded scoring two runs in the second inning. Cody Childs blasted his first homer of the season scoring Matt Russell cutting the Ichabod lead to 7-4 after two.

The scrore stayed that way until the bottom of the fourth. The Griffons used four hits and an error scoring five runs. LaHonta led off with a single and stole second. He scored on a throwing error by the Ichabod shortstop. Ryan Degner, Mitch Thorman and Childs all had RBI hits in the inning. After four innings the Griffons led 9-7.

In the back and fourth game the Ichabods responded with three runs on one hit in the top of the 5th regaining the lead 10-9 after five and a half. Fortunately in the bottom of the fifth Chew nailed a three run homer giving the Griffons a 12-9 lead with four innings to play.

The Griffons allowed one run the rest of they way hanging on for the one run victory. Griffon reliever Banks Born got the victory going one inning giving up one hit and one earned run. Tyler Sanders picked up his second save of the year going one inning with one strikeout.

Five Griffons had two hits in the game with Childs leading the way with four RBI while Chew and Schrader had three and two respectively.

Washburn starter Maustin Otterstatter went three full innings and pitched into the fourth. He gave up six runs off six hits and four walks as he made his first start. Reliever Alex Laughlin took the loss as he gave up three runs through two thirds of an inning.

Washburn falls to 7-5 overall and 7-5 in MIAA play. They had nine hits with Jones and Kyle Carnahan each getting two.

The Griffons will step out of MIAA play on Tuesday, March 11 with a non-conference game against the Rockhurst Hawks. The Hawks come into the contest 0-4. First pitch is scheduled for 4 pm from the Griffon Baseball Field at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team struggles in Kansas continued on Monday afternoon falling 4-3 and 7-3 against #21 Emporia State. The Griffons have lost four in a row and sit at 10-8 overall and 0-4 in MIAA play.

Game 1
Emporia State 4
Missouri Western 3

In game one the Griffons struggled to string any hits together falling 4-3. The Griffons had just four hits the Hornets 10 and left six runners on base to the Hornets eight.

The Griffons got on the board first in the top of the fourth inning when Tiffany Gillaspy hit her fourth homer of the season. That lead was short lived as the Hornets responded in their half of the fourth when Jacie Stephen hit a two run homer giving ESU the lead for good. Emporia tacked on two more in the 5th inning. They had five hits while scoring two runs taking the 4-1 lead after five.

In the sixth the Griffons left one runner on base and in the 7th they put used two hits and two walks to score two runs. With runners bases loaded and one out Brooke Schaben hit into a fielder choice scoring one and Gillaspy grounded out to third ending the game.

Gillaspy had two of the Griffons four hits while Bishop falls to 6-3 on the season. She gave up 10 hits and four earned runs while striking out three and hitting three batters.

Emporia State pounded out 10 hits with Taylor Zordel, Tricia Vogel and Andrea Piezuch each getting two. Kaitlyn Caston improved to 11-3 overall going all seven innings. She gave up four hits and three earned runs while walking four and striking out just one.

Game 2
Emporia State 7
Missouri Western 3

In game two the struggles continued for the Griffons getting outscored 7-1 in the final five innings falling 7-3. The Griffons had just four hits and three errors in the contest.

Once again the Griffons got on the board first scoring two runs in the second inning off a two run homer from Kat Steponovich. It was Steponovich’s second homer of the season.

The lead was short lived as the Hornets answered the two runs on three hits. Stephens got an RBI single and Eryn Stockman got an RBI on a fielders choice tying the score at two after two innings.

The Griffons stayed calm going ahead in the third as Bre Fleschner led off with a double and scored on a Gillaspy sacrifice fly giving the Griffons a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the third ESU blew things open using two hit by pitches putting runners on first and second with one out. With two outs the Hornets doubles by Stockman and Madison Rich giving the Hornets the 6-3 lead after three.

The Griffons left at least one runner on in the last four innings but could not get any momentum to make the comeback. The Hornets tacked on one more run improving to 15-4 overall and 4-0 in MIAA play.

In game two Steponovich led the way with two hits while Janie Smith falls to 4-5 overall. She gave up 10 hits and 7 earned runs with two strikeouts.

The Hornets were led by Jessica Gragg, Stephens and Rich as they all had two hits. Stockman led the way with three RBU while Rich had two. Stockman improves to 4-1 going all seven innings. She gave up four hits and three earned run. she walked four and struck out just one.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, March 11 with an MIAA doubleheader against rival Northwest Missouri State. It is an important doubleheader for both teams as they both sit at 0-4 in MIAA play. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm from the Griffon Softball Field at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s golf team sits in 11th place in the 17 team field after day one of the Dave Falconer Memorial Invite. The Griffons fired a round one 311 which is two strokes behind Pittsburg State (309) who is in 10th and six strokes behind Southeastern Oklahoma State (305) who is 9th. The Griffons are two strokes ahead of 12th place Washburn who fired a 313. Henderson State and Arkansas Tech lead the event with 287. The event is being played at Chamberlyne Golf Club.

The Griffons were led by James O’Brien who shot a two over 73 which puts him in a tie for 10th in the 95 player field. Tyler Gast sits in a tie for 48th with a 78 while Scott Sheldon and Derek Hawkins are in a tie for 66th with 80’s. Evan McCarthy finished with an 82. Dylan Watt finished with a 79 playing for an individual.

The leaders of the event are Michael Hearne of Southern Nazarene and George Adams of Southern Arkansas as they both fired 68.

The final round of the event will be played Tuesday.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s golf teams sits in 13th place after day one of the UCO Kickingbird Classic firing a 348. The Griffons trail 12th place Central Missouri by three and 11th place Northwest Missouri State by nine. The leader of the event is Arkansas Tech firing a 306 which is four strokes ahead of Oklahoma City and Central Oklahoma.

Freshman Madison Romjue leads the way for MWSU firing an 82 which puts her in a tie for 24th. Callie Wilson and Amber Chivington shot a 85 and 89 while Anna Kloeppel and Shelby Stone fired 92 and 97.

The leader of the event is Elia Folch of Oklahoma City and Taylor Neidy of Central Oklahoma both firing two over 72. They are one stroke ahead of Margaret Alumno (73) of Drury and two strokes ahead of Rebecka Surtevall (74) of Arkansas Tech.

They will wrap up the final round of the event Tuesday, March 11.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team fell in a home doubleheader on Sunday afternoon against the Washburn Ichabods. The Griffons fell in game one 2-1 and in game two 8-2. Missouri Western has lost four games in a row falling to 6-7 overall and 4-4 in MIAA play. The two teams play the final two games of their series in a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1:00 pm.

Game 1

Washburn 2
Missouri Western 1

In a well pitched first game the Griffons fell 2-1 against the Washburn Ichabods. The Ichabods got on the board first in the top of the first using a lead off walk by Tyler Herrington. After a stolen base by Herrington, Parker Gibson singled through the left side giving Washburn the 1-0 lead after a half inning.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the third when the Griffons tied it up. Mitch Thorman singled through the left side and later scored on an error by the Ichabods shortstop. The very next inning the Ichabods responded with the game winning run. David Gauntt got hit by a pitch and then scored on a Klye Carnahan single into right field.

The rest of the game the Griffons could not get anything going off Ichabods starter Mark Biesman as he went all seven innings giving up four hits and one run with six strikeouts. He improves to 1-1 with the victory. Gibson had two of the Washburn five hits.

The Griffons were led by Thorman as he went 2-for-2. Jake Jones got the loss going four innings giving up three hits and two earned runs. Tyler Sanders went three innings in relief giving up two hits with two strikeouts.

Game 2
Washburn 8
Missouri Western 2

Depite pounding out eight hits the Griffons could only manage two runs in an 8-2 defeat against the Ichabods. Freshman Tyler Tuepker had a perfect game going into the fifth inning. But in the fifth he gave up four hits and three earned runs falling to 1-1 on the season. He struckout two in the game.

The Griffons got the first run of the game when Trevor LaHonta double which was followed up by a triple by David Chew giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead after three innings.

The score stayed that way until the fifth wehn the Bods got to Tuepker scoring three runs on four hits. Connor Crimmins double gave Washburn the 3-1 lead. The Ichabods continued to play well going up 8-1 before the Griffons got things going in the bottom of the 9th.

The Griffons loaded the bases with no outs but only managed one run falling in the night cap.

Thorman and Ryan Degner had two hits in the contest for the Griffons.

The Ichabods had 10 hits with Matt Jackson, Kyle Carnahan and Cole Gardner each getting two hits. Taylor Gentry went six innings giving up five hits with five strikeouts. He improves to 1-0 with the victory.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team fell in two close MIAA contests against the Washburn Ichabods. The Griffons fell in eight innings on a walk off grand slam 7-4 before falling 2-1 in the nightcap. The Griffons fall to 10-6 overall and 0-2 in MIAA play. The Griffons games against Emporia State that were scheduled to be played tomorrow, March 8 have been moved to Monday, March 10 with first pitch scheduled for 2 pm in Emporia, Kan.

Game 1
WU 7
MWSU 4 8 innings

The Griffons lost a heartbreaker in game one against the Ichabods falling 7-4 in eight innings on a walk-off grand slam by Bre Hixon. The Griffons had nine hits in the game with Taylor Anding leading the way going 3-for-4 with two RBI.

Things looked good for the Griffons early taking a 3-0 lead after three and a half innings of play. Sydney Washington hit her second homer of her career in the top of the third and then Anding blasted a two run bomb in the top of the fourth giving the Griffons the 3-0 lead.

The next inning and a half belonged to the Ichabods as they scored two runs on three hits in the fourth and then tied it at 3 in the 5th when Samantha Carson blasted a lead off home run.

The Griffons got lead off singles in both the 6th and 7th inning but stranded both on second base. The Ichabods also got runners on base but solid defense by the Griffons helped them get out of both jams.

In the top of the 8th Tiffany Gillaspy got hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She then forced the issue on the bases scoring a throwing error by the Hixon.

Janie Smith who replaced Jackie Bishp in the seventh got back-to-back ground outs by the Ichabods opening the 8th. With two outs Washburn got two singles and a walk to set up the homer by Hixon.

Bishop went six innings giving up six hits with seven strikeouts. She also walked three and gave up three earned runs. Smith falls to 4-3 going 1.2 innings giving up three hits and four earned runs with one walk.

The Ichabods had nine hits with Marina Quimny going 2-for-3. Kaylee Erickson started on the mound for the Ichabods going 3.1 innings giving up four hits and three earned runs with two walks and a strikeout. Lauren Thimmesch picked up the victory improving to 2-1 overall. She went 4.2 innings giving up five hits and one earned run.

Game 2
WU 2
MWSU 1

In game two the Griffons four hits off the Ichabods. Washburn scored one run in the first and the go ahead in the bottom of the fourth off a throwing error by the Griffons third baseman.

Janie Smith tied the game in the fourth but that would be all the Griffons could get off pitcher Samantha Carson.

The Ichabods improve to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in MIAA play. They were led by Thimmesch and Quimby with two hits apiece.

Smith went all six innings giving up nine hits and one earned run. She falls to 4-4 with the loss.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s basketball team lost at Central Oklahoma Tuesday night, 74-57, in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

The Griffons had three players score in double figures with Kalvin Balque, Ryan Devers and Charlie Marquardt finishing with 13, 13 and 11 respectively. The Griffons end the season with an 10-18 overall record.

The Griffons played the Bronchos tough in the first frame with neither team leading by more than seven points. The Bronchos opened the game taking a 14-7 lead after a Josh Gibbs long range shot with 12:48 to play in the frame. The Griffons responded nicely going on a 11-3 run claiming an 18-17 lead after a Dareon Jones layup with 9:02 to play. The rest of the half would be back and forth as UCO outscored the Griffons 19-15 taking the 36-33 lead into the half.

Neither team shot the ball that well as the Griffons made just 28.1-percent (9-32) of their shots to the Bronchos 42.9-percent (12-28). Both teams made three long range shots. The Griffons stayed in it from the free throw line making 75-percent (12-16) to the Bronchos 52.9-percent (9-17).

The Griffons were led by Marquardt with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting while Balque dumped in seven. Colbert led the Griffons on the boards with six. The Bronchos were led by Josh Gibbs with 17 points and six boards. He made 4-of-10 field goals and 3-of-6 long range shots. He also made 6-of-8 free throws.

The Griffons hung in the game for the first nine minutes of the second half trailing by just six at 53-47 after a Balque three with 11:18 to play in the game. The next three minutes belonged to the Bronchos opening up a 14 point lead at 61-47 after an Aaron Anderson free throw with 8:03 to play in the game. The Griffons struggled down the stretch falling by 17 points.

The Griffons shot just 26.7-percent (16-60) and 25-percent (6-26) from long range. Colbert and Marquardt had seven rebounds while Balque and Hans Thun had six rebounds.

The Bronchos shot 41.9-percent (26-62) from the field with Gibbs leading the way with 32 points on 9-of-20 shooting. He also had 15 rebounds and made 6-of-13 long range shots. Philip Brown and Anderson had 14 and 11 points respectively. UCO improves to 18-9 overall and will play #4 seed Fort Hays State at 2:15 pm on Friday, March 7.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s basketball team had two players receive MIAA Honors which was released by the league office Monday afternoon. Senior Tiffanie Abrams was named to the MIAA All-Defensive team while junior Quenisha Lockett earned honorable mention honors.

Tiffanie Abrams (5-10, Sr., F, Detroit, Mich.) was named to the MIAA All-Defensive team for her efforts this past season. Abrams averaged 1.1 steals per game finishing with 28 total for the year. She had at least two in nine games which included a season a career best four against Missouri Southern on February 15, 2014. She also helped the Griffons hold opponents to just 59.2 points per game which led the MIAA. She also helped allow teams to shoot just 26.7-percent from the three point line and 38.2-percent from the field. The Griffons finished the season with 88 more steals than their opponents and 59 less turnovers.

Quenisha Lockett (6-2, Jr., F, Tuscaloosa, Ala.) had a pretty good season for the Griffons finishing second on the team in scoring (8.7 ppg) and rebounding (5.8 rpg). She shot 54.7-percent (87-159) from the field. She also had 146 rebounds with 67 coming on the offensive end of the floor. She had 13 blocks and 20 steals. She scored in double figures in nine games which included scoring a career best 19 points on December 19, 2013 at Northeastern State. She also had two double doubles which came on the road against Northeastern State and Central Missouri.

2013-14 Women’s All-MIAA Teams
Player of the Year
Keuna Flax, Sr., G, UCM

Defensive Player of the Year
Kate Lehman, Jr., C. FHSU

Freshman of the Year
Kassidy Gengenbacher, Fr., G, LWU

Coach of the Year
Lane Lord, Pittsburg State

All-MIAA First Team
Keuna Flax, Sr., G, UCM**[r1]
Lizzy Jeronimus, Jr., F, PSU**[r1]
Kate Lehman, Jr., C, FHSU**[r1]
Laura Patrick, Sr., G, ESU**
Dominique Mosley, Sr., C, MSSU
**Unanimous Selection
[r1] Repeat First Team Selection

All-MIAA Second Team
Merissa Quick, Jr., C, ESU
BreAnna Lewis, Sr., G, UCM
Jacqui Zelenka, Sr., F, SBU
Casyn Buchman, Jr., G, WU
Kassidy Gengenbacher, Fr., G, LWU

All-MIAA Third Team
Ariel Easton, Jr., G, NWMSU
Katelyn Edwards, Sr., F, FHSU
Brittney Lynch, Jr., F, WU
Cathy Brugman, So., G/F, PSU
Jill Bryan, Sr., G, UCO

All-Defensive Team
Kate Lehman, Jr., C, FHSU
Y’Cedria Devers, Sr., G, PSU
Merissa Quick, Jr., C, ESU
Brittney Lynch, Jr., F, WU
Tiffanie Abrams, Sr., G, MWSU

Honorable Mention All-MIAA
Revonnia Howard, Jr., C, UCM
Olivia Mason, Fr., F, UCO
Kionna Kellog, Sr., F, ESU
Rheanna Egli, Sr., G, ESU
Beth Bohuslavsky, So., G, FHSU
Jennifer Rosado, Jr., G, LU
Sharese Jones, So., F, MSSU
Alexis Fitzpatrick, Jr., G, MSSU
Shonte Clay, Sr., C, MSSU
Quineisha Lockett, Jr., F, MWSU
Amarah Williams, Jr., C, UNK
Shelby Zimmerman, Sr., F, UNK
Fontana Tate, Jr., G, NSU
Annie Mathews, Jr., C, NWMSU
Alexa Bordewick, Sr., G, PSU
Anquinita Reed, Jr., G, PSU
Brooke Duncan, So., G, SBU

— MWSU Sports Information —