Missouri Western senior women’s golfer Natalie Bird has been selected to participate in the 2013 NCAA Central Regional which will be played at the St. Joseph Country Club in St. Joseph, Mo. The event will start on Sunday, May 5 and conclude on Tuesday, May 7. Bird is the first ever women’s golfer to be selected to play in an NCAA Regional.

This past season Bird played in 10 events finishing with a stroke average of 80.9. She finished in the top five in three events and top ten in six events. She took first place at the Nebraska-Kearney Fall Classic back in September where she shot a 72 which was her lowest round of the season.

She finished in a tie for 7th at the MIAA Championships this past week shooting a 78. Individually, she looks to be in great position to be the first Griffon Women’s Golfer to qualify for the NCAA Tournament as she is currently ranked second individually in Super Region 3.

The NCAA Division II women’s golf super regional competition will be conducted May 5-7. Each super regional will consist of both team and individual competition conducted concurrently with nine teams and four individuals from non-qualifying teams at each site. All participants will compete throughout the 54 holes of competition. The top three teams along with the top three individuals not with a team from each super regional will advance to the championships.

The 2013 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships will be held May 15-18, at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The championships will consist of both team and individual competition conducted concurrently. All participants will compete throughout the entire 72 holes of competition. In the team competition, the low four scores for each team will count in each day’s total score. The number of participants that qualify for the finals is 72.

— MWSU Sports Information —

With the baseball season coming to a close today the MIAA has announced the bracket and pairings for the 2013 MIAA Baseball Tournament. Unlike previous years this season’s tournament begins on campus with the four higher seeded teams hosting a best two-out-of-three series with the four lower seeded teams.

Top seeded Missouri Western will face eighth seeded Fort Hays State beginning on May 2 in St. Joseph, Mo. The series begins with a 6 p.m. match-up on May 2 and continues with a 6 p.m. match-up on May 3. The if necessary game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 from Griffon Baseball Field.

Second seed Central Missouri will play host to seventh seeded Pittsburg State May 2-4 from Warrensburg, Mo. The series kicks off on May 2 with a 6 p.m. game and continues on May 3 with a 6 p.m. contest. Should a third game be forced it is scheduled for 1 p.m. on May 4 from Crane Stadium at Tompkins Field.

Third seeded Missouri Southern will open their MIAA tournament by hosting sixth seeded Northeastern State in Joplin, Mo. The series will get underway with a 5 p.m. game on May 3, followed by a 5 p.m. game on May 4 on their home field. The final game of the series if it is needed is scheduled to be played at 1 p.m. from Joe Becker Stadium.

Fourth seeded Central Oklahoma will play host to fifth seed Emporia State in Edmond, Okla. The series is scheduled to start on May 2 with a 2:30 p.m. game and continue on May 3 with a 2:30 p.m. game. If a third game is forced it is scheduled for May 4 at 1 p.m. from Wendell Simmons Field.

The winners will advance to CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan. on May 9-11 for a double elimination tournament.

May 2-5, 2013 (First Round)
(Best two out of three)
#8 Fort Hays State at #1 Missouri Western
Game 1: May 2 at 6 p.m.
Game 2: May 3 at 6 p.m.
Game 3: May 4 at 1 p.m. (If Necessary)

#5 Emporia State at #4 Central Oklahoma
Game 1: May 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Game 2: May 3 at 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: May 4 at 1 p.m. (If Necessary)

#7 Pittsburg State at #2 Central Missouri
Game 1: May 2 at 6 p.m.
Game 2: May 3 at 6 p.m.
Game 3: May 4 at 1 p.m. (If Necessary)

#6 Northeastern State at #3 Missouri Southern
Game 1: May 2 at 5 p.m.
Game 2: May 3 at 5 p.m.
Game 3: May 4 at 1 p.m. (If Necessary)

— MIAA Press Release —

The Missouri Western softball team bounced back nicely in their final regular season doubleheader. The Griffons pitching staff gave up just one run all day in a 9-0 (6 innings) and 3-1 victory over the Northeastern State RiverHawks. Keri Lorbert became the all-time home runs leader in game one hitting her 38th of her career. The Griffons end the regular season with a 36-14 overall and 20-8 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 9, NSU 0 (6 innings)
The Griffons rebounded nicely in the first game of the doubleheader against the Northeastern State RiverHawks winning 9-0 in a six inning contest. The Griffons scored runs in every inning but the fourth in the victory.

In the first inning the Griffons scored two runs on one hit. Sarah Elliott and Bre Fleschner both got hit by a pitch and then Elliott scored on a wild pitch. Fleschner scored on a single by Keri Lorbert giving MWSU the 2-0 lead. In the second Tiffany Gillaspy led off with a double to right field and scored on a single by Elliott giving the Griffons a 3-0 lead after two.

In the third the Griffons scored another run on three hits. Gillaspy single in Michelle Stevenson with two outs. In the fifth Gillaspy hit her second homer in as many games and ninth of the season giving the Griffons a 7-0 lead after five.

In the sixth history would be made when Lorbert hit her 13th homer of the season and 38th of her career which is the all-time record. She broke the record that Amy Beverly set from 2003-06. The homer gave the Griffons the 9-0 lead.

That is all Jackie Bishop would need as she went all six innings giving up just two hits while striking out eight. She improves to 20-6 with the victory.

The Griffons had 13 hits with Elliott, Lorbert and Gillaspy all getting three. Lorbert scored two runs and had three RBI while Gillaspy had four RBI and two runs scored.

The RiverHawks only hits came from Cayce Coleman. She also got the loss in the circle going all six giving up 13 hits and nine earned runs while striking out four. She falls to 9-7 with the loss.

Game 2
MWSU 3, NSU 1

In game two freshman pitcher Janie Smith pitched very well not giving up her first hit until the fourth inning. She battled out of a couple of jams in the 5th and 6th innings getting the complete game victory. Smith improves to 16th victory of the season. She went all seven inning striking out seven and walking just one.

The Griffons broke a scoreless tie in the 3rd when they got four hits and scored two runs. Taylor Anding opened up the inning with a single up the middle and then scored on a Fleschner double to center field. Fleschner then scored on a Roemmich single to right field giving the Griffons the 2-0 lead.

The RiverHawks cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth when Madison Reed broke up the no-hitter with a single to short stop. She later scored on a throwing error by Lorbert.

In the fifth the RiverHawks loaded the bases with with two outs but Smith fought her way out of it keeping the score 2-1 in favor of MWSU.

The Griffons responded got an insurance run in the top of the 6th when Lorbert singled and pinch runner Sam Elliott scored on an error by the RiverHawks giving MWSU the 3-1 lead after six.

That would be all Smith would need as the improved to 16-6 in MIAA play. The Griffons has seven hits with Roemmich, Lorbert and Anding all going 2-for-3.

The RiverHawks fall to 26-22 overall and 16-10 in MIAA play. Kayce Woolridge falls to 10-11 going all seven innings. she gave up seven hits and two earned runs with just three strikeouts in the game. The RiverHawks had seven hist with Reed going 2-for-4 with a runs scored.

The Griffons will be the 3rd seed in the MIAA Tournament which will will start on Thursday, May 2nd in Overland Park, Kan at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex. The Griffons will play at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm with opponents to be determined.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The #5 Missouri Western baseball team wrapped up the regular season with a split of a twin bill played against the Missouri Southern Lions Sunday. The Griffons fell in a back-and-forth extra inning battle in game on 9-8 before getting a complete game from Ethan Ward in a 8-4 victory. The Griffons end the regular season 35-8 overall and 28-5 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MSSU 8, MWSU 7 (9 innings)

Despite getting 12 hits Missouri Western squandered two late inning leads in game one losing 8-7 in nine innings. For the first time this season the Griffons did not win a game that Brandon Simmons pitched. Simmons got a no decision going five innings. He gave up seven hits and three earned runs while striking out four. He leff the game with a 5-3 lead.

The Lions took the early lead when Thomas Wilson scored on a Nick Doughty double in the second inning.
Things looked good for the Griffons the next three innings scoring five runs claiming a 5-1 lead after five.

In third Jake Schrader doubled to left field and later scored on a Michael Schulze single tying the score at one. In the fourth Nate Ramler led off with a homer to right field giving MWSU the 3-1 lead after four.

In the fifth Jake Schrader reached on an error and then a double by Shawn Egge and a two RBI single to center field by Michael Schulze gave MWSU a 4-1 lead. Grant Fink then got hit by a pitch with the bases loades scoring Schulze giving the Griffons a 5-1 lead.

The responded in their half o fthe sixth with two outs. Tee Helsel got a two RBI single cutting the Griffons lead to 5-3. In the sixth the Lions got a run off releiver Jared Hawkins adn then in the 7th with two outs Doughty doubled in the tying run off Logan Hollingsworth.

Things looked good for the Griffons in the 8th as they scored two runs. they got a run off a bases loaded walk and another run off a fielder choice by Ramler giving the Griffons a 7-5 lead.

Unfortunatly once again the Lions responded scoring two runs off four hits tying the score at seven in after eight. The Griffons stranded a leadoff single in the eighth, but the Lions were able to get three hits off Mark Spreckels getting the extra inning victory.

Schulze and Schrader each had three hits in the contest while Schulze had three RBI and two runs scored. Spreckels got the loss going 2/3 of an inning givng up two hist and one earned run. He falls to 2-2 with the loss.

The Lions had 18 hits off the Griffons with leadoff hitter Michael McCoy going 4-for-6 with a run scored. Doughty went 3-for-5 with two RBI while Helsel went 2-for-5 with three RBI.

The Lions used five pitchers in the game. Starter Brett Abell went 6.1 innings giving up 10 hits and four earned runs while striking out 10. Ryan Bates got the victroy going 1.2 innings. He improves to 6-1 with the victory.

Game 2
MWSU 8, MSSU 4

In game two, Missouri Western got a complete game from Ethan Ward as he scattered 11 Missouri Southern hits  while striking out four and walking just one. He improves to 3-3 with the victory.

The Griffons jumped out to a 5-1 lead after scoring four runs in the first inning. That would be all the Griffons would need to get the victory. They had 10 hits in the game which included two home runs.

Grant Fink hit is 13th homer of the season while Shawn Egge smacked his fourth. Bubba Dotson, Fink and Egge all had two hits with a combinded five run scored and three RBI.

The Lions fall to 29-18 on the season and 23-16 in MIAA play. They had 11 hits with Doughty going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Sam Ryan went 2-for-4 with a two run homer while three other Lions had two hits in the contest.

Ryan Bates falls to 6-2 on the season as he went just 1/3 of an inning giving up two hits and four earned runs. David Reese went 4.2 innings giving up five hist and two earned runs.

The Griffons will open up the first round of the MIAA Tournament with a three game series against the 8th seed in the MIAA (which is still to be determined). The first game will be on Thursday, May 2 at 6:00 pm at the Griffon Baseball Field.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team hit three home runs in the doubleheader but came up on the short end of two one run games against #21 Central Oklahoma. The Griffons fell 3-2 and 5-4 and now sit at 34-14 overall and 18-8 in MIAA play.

Game 1
#21 UCO 3, MWSU 2

Despite out hitting the high powered Bronchos eight to seven, Western fell 3-2 in game one against UCO. The Griffons left seven runners on base which included two in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the seventh.

The Griffons struck first in the top of the first when Bre Fleschner doubled and scored on a single to left center by Keri Lorbert.

The Bronchos tied it up in their half of the first when Nicole Workman single in Kaylee Brunson. Missouri Western pitcher Jackie Bishop was able to strand the bases loaded in the first.

In the third Kacie Edwards double to right center and pinch runner Hanna Justus scored on a fielding error by Maegan Roemmich in center field giving the Bronchos a 2-1 lead after three. Bishop once again stranded the bases loaded.

In the fourth, Western tied it up when Kendall Sorensen homered to left field. Once again Edwards killed the Griffons when she homered to right field giving UCO the 3-2 lead. That would be all the Bronchos would need as the Griffons stranded five runners the rest of the way.

Sarah Elliott and Fleschner each had two hit in the contest while Bishop falls to 19-6 overall going six innings. She gave up seven hits, three earned runs with three strikeouts.

Workman and Edwards each had two hits while Kalynn Schrock went all seven innings giving up eight hits with seven strikeouts. She improves to 21-4 with the victory.

Game 2
#21 UCO 5, MWSU 4

In game two, Missouri Western gave up two runs dropping the game 5-4. Janie Smith pitched a good game going six innings. She gave up six hits and four earned runs. She falls to 15-6 with the loss.

Smith got in trouble in the second inning when she walked the first two Bronchos leading off the inning. UCO scored two runs in the inning taking a 2-0 lead.

The Griffons did not have a hit until the fourth inning when Lorbert hit a single and Michelle Stevenson blasted a homer tying the score at two.

The score remained that way until the fifth when Edwards struck again giving UCO a 3-2 lead.

In the 7th Lorbert got on by an error by the third baseman, but pinch runner Sam Elliott got thrown out trying to steal. Another error by the Bronchos allowed Michelle Stevenson to get on and reach second by a wild pitch. Kendall Sorenson then struck out and Tiffany Gillaspy homered over center field giving MWSU a 4-3 lead heading to the bottom of the 7th.

In the bottom of the seventh a lead off walk and a single and throwing error put Bronchos on second and third with no one out. Sam Cool pinch hit for Kaylee Brunson and got the hit to right center giving UCO the victory.

UCO improves to 37-9 overall and 21-3 in MIAA play with the victory. Schrock improves to 22-4 going all seven innings. She gave up three hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts.

UCO had nine hits with Ally Dziadula and Edwardsd each getting two.

Stevenson and Gillaspy both had two run homers in the game. Stevenson scored two runs.

Western wraps up the regular season on Sunday, April 28 with a doubleheader against Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla. Game time is set for 12:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western senior golfer Natalie Bird has been named to the All-MIAA Second Team which announced by the league office on Friday (April 26) afternoon.

This past season Bird played in 10 events finishing with a stroke average of 80.9. She finished in the top five in three events and top ten in six events. She took first place at the Nebraska-Kearney Fall Classic back in September where she shot a 72 which was her lowest round of the season.

She finished in a tie for 7th at the MIAA Championships this past week shooting a 78. Individually, she looks to be in great position to be the first Griffon Women’s Golfer to qualify for the NCAA Tournament as she is currently ranked second individually in Super Region 3.

The NCAA Regional Tournament is set for May 5-7 at the St. Joseph Country Club in St. Joseph, Mo. The top nine teams and the top four individuals that are not on the top nine teams make the regional.

First Team All-MIAA

Aly Seng, Central Oklahoma *GOLFER OF THE YEAR*
Erica Bensch, Central Oklahoma
Cassie Lowell, Northwest Missouri
Kelsey Kirkpatrick, Northeastern State
Taylor Neidy, Central Oklahoma

Second Team All-MIAA

McCandren Lewis, Northeastern State *FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR*
Alex Koch, Northeastern State
Natalie Bird, Missouri Western
Katie Bensch, Central Oklahoma
Whitney McAteer, Northeastern State

MIAA Coach of the Year: Michael Bond, Central Oklahoma

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team won its first ever MIAA regular season championship with a doubleheader sweep over the Washburn Ichabods Tuesday. The Griffons won game one 3-1 and game two 11-1. MWSU improves to 34-7 overall and 27-4 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 3, WU 1

Jerad Hawkins made quick work of the Ichabods in game one throwing just 65 pitches in a 3-1 victory. He pitched his first complete game of the season going all seven innings giving up just three hits and one earned run. He struckout four improving to 6-0 on the season.

Missouri Western got on the board in the first inning when Bubba Dotson singled to right field and then scored on a Kyle Simpson single. The Griffons put pressure on the Ichabods the rest of the game leaving nine runners on base.

The Ichabods tied it up in the 5th when Connor Crimmins hit a homer over the left field fence tying the score at one.

The Griffons put runners on once again in the sixth and this time Michael Schulze got a two out single scoring Jake Schrader and Spencer Shockley.

Western pounded out 10 hits in the game with Schulze, Dotson and Simpson all getting two.

Brad Alberts falls to 0-6 going six innings. He gave up 10 hits and one eraned run while striking out five.

Game 2
MWSU 11, WU 1 (8 innings)

Missouri Western scored seven runs in the final two innings of game two picking up 11-1 run rule shortened game over the Ichabods. Shockley hit two home runs in the game including the walk off two run homer of the left field fence.

The Griffons got on the board in the first when Michael Schulze walked and scored on a Simpson ground out. The Ichabods tied the score at one in the third when Zacka Haller homered to center field.

The rest of the game would be all Western as they scored at least one run in four of the final five innings. In the fourth the Griffons scored two runs on two hits and capitalized on one Washburn error making it a 3-1 game. Shockley opened up the inning with his third homer of the season.

In the fifth Grant Fink tripled in Simpson making it 4-1. The Griffon bats got going in the 7th getting three more hits and three runs. The Griffons got RBI hits from Nate Ramler and Fink in the inning.

In the 8th Missouri Western got four runs on three hits which included the walk-off homer by Shockley. The home run was his fourth of the season.

The Griffons pitching staff was outstanding as they did not give up a walk all day. In the game Mark Spreckels picked up the victory going five innings giving five hits and on earned run. Spreckels improves to 2-1 on the season with the victory.

Kyle Kelly went two innings striking out four of the seven batters he faced while Mason Queen pitched one scoreless inning.

Western had 11 hits in the contest with Shockley going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Fink had two hits with two RBI.

The Ichabods had five hits in the contest as they fall to 9-31 overall and 8-30 in MIAA play. Connor Brady falls to 2-1 going five innings giving up five hits and three earned runs. He also walked four and struck out four.

Missouri Western returns to action this weekend when they travel to Joplin, Mo. for the final MIAA regular season series against the Missouri Southern Lions. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 27 with game time set for 1:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team pounded out 27 hits and scored 24 runs in a doubleheader sweep of the Lincoln Blue Tigers Tuesday. The Griffons won game one 7-3 and game two 17-5. The 17 runs ties the most runs in a game by a Griffon team since March 21, 2004 when they did it against South Daktoa. The Griffons improve to 34-12 overall and 18-6 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 7, LU 3

Western used a five run sixth inning in which they hit four home runs to pick up a 7-3 victory. Keri Lorbert led off the inning with her 12th homer of the season. It also tied Amy Beverly for most home runs in a career with 37. Michelle Stevenson, Taylor Anding and Sarah Elliott also hit home runs in the inning.

Things did not look good early on for the Griffons as the Blue Tigers scored three runs in the first three innings. Kristina Hein singled to center and scored on an Erin Sommerer homer in the first. In the third Sam Kircher hit a homer giving the Blue Tigers a 3-0 lead.

The Griffons responded in the third with two runs on three hits. Bre Fleschner singled in Elliott and Roemmich doubled in Fleschner cutting the lead to 3-2.

Missouri Western pounded out six hits in the five run 6th picking up the victory. MWSU had 11 hits with Roemmich going 3-for-4 with one RBI. The other eight Griffon batters all had one hit in the game.
Jackie Bishop improves to 19-5 overall going all seven innings. She gave up five hits while striking out 10.

The Blue Tigers had five hits with Kircher going 2-for-3. Clari Lorenz picked up the loss going 5.1 innings giving up nine hits and six earned runs while striking out nine. She falls to 9-8 on the season.

Game 2
MWSU 17, LU 5 (5 innings)

Western smacked 16 hits and scored 17 runs in a 17-5 run rule game against the Blue Tigers. The Griffons dominated the second game scoring at least three runs in each inning which included five run innings in the first and third innings.

MWSU had three players with at least three hits. Roemmich, Stevenson and Sorenson all had three hits. Roemmich and Stevenson had four RBI while Sorenson had three.

Bre Fleschner, Roemmich and Stevenson all scored three runs while Roemmich hit her ninth homer of the season.

Janie Smith improves to 15-5 on the season going all five innings. She gave up eight hits and five earned runs with four strikeouts.

The Blue Tiges fall to 14-21-1 overall and 6-16 in MIAA play. Kircher had two hits and three RBI with a home run while Starr McLeod had a two run homer.

The Griffons ruturn to action on Saturday, April 27 when they take on the #21 Central Oklahoma in a doubleheader in Edmond, Okla. Game time is set for 12:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team comes in 2nd in the first Central Region poll which was released Tuesday, April 24.  The Grriffons won their first ever MIAA Regular Season Title with a doubleheader sweep over Washburn on Wednesday afternoon by scores of 3-1 and 11-1. The Griffons are 34-7 overall and 27-4 in MIAA play.

The top six teams earn a regional bid with the highest seed hosting a double elimination tournament. The Griffons have made an NCAA Regional once in history which was back in 2006.

The only other MIAA school in the top eight is the University of Central Missouri who sits a top the rankings.

The Griffons will play their final regular MIAA series this coming weekend when they travel to Joplin, Mo. to take on the Missouri Southern Lions. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 27 with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm. The two teams will play a single nine inning game on Sunday, April 28 with game time set for 1:00 pm.

CENTRAL REGION
1 Central Missouri
2 Missouri Western State
3 Minnesota State
4 Southern Arkansas
5 St. Cloud State
6 Arkansas Tech
7 Wayne State (Neb.)
8 Southwestern Oklahoma State

— MWSU Sports Information —