Former Missouri Western men’s basketball coach Tom Smith will be inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame as announced Thursday afternoon by the league office. He is one of ten Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association legends and three national championship teams from the 2000’s that have been elected to the MIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

This year’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on June 6, 2013 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.

Below are the bios for the 2013 Hall of Fame class.

Tom Smith, Men’s Basketball Coach
Central Missouri 1975-80, Missouri Western 1988-2013
Smith is the winningest coach in MIAA history with 535 victories and has 618 career wins. In his career he coached 51 All-MIAA selections, six All-Region/District picks and three NCAA All-Americans. He has coached Missouri Western to 12-20 win seasons and has 13 total in his career. He won five regular season MIAA Championships and four MIAA postseason tournament titles. He has been named the MIAA Coach of the Year three times in his career. He coached his team to regular season and tournament titles in their first year in the league and they advanced to the second round of the NCAA South Central Regional. He also coached at Central Missouri from 1975-80 posting an 86-46 overall record.

Gene Bartow, Men’s Basketball Coach
Central Missouri, 1961-64
Bartow coached the Mules from 1961 to 1964 compiling a 47-21 overall record, including 20-10 in MIAA play. He went on to coach at the Division I level at Valparaiso (1964-70), Memphis (1970-74), Illinois (1974-75), UCLA (1975-77) and Alabama-Birmingham (1978-96). He led his 1972-73 Memphis State to the NCAA Championship game. He replaced legendary UCLA coach John Wooden and led the Bruins to a combined 52-9 mark in two seasons, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament and a third place finish in his first season in 1975-76. He served as the first head coach and athletic director at UAB for 18 years. He led the school to the NIT in the second year of existence and followed it up with seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances. In 34 years as a head coach he compiled a 647-353 record. He led his teams to 20 postseason appearances and 14 NCAA Tournaments. He was elected to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in November of 2009 and was named one of Valparaiso University’s 150 most influential people in October 2009.

Janet Clark, Women’s Basketball Athlete
Northwest Missouri, 1986-89
Janet Clark is the only Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball player to be in the 2,000 point club. As one of the best shooters in MIAA women’s basketball history, Clark also ranks fourth on the all-time MIAA scoring list. Clark averaged over 20 points per game in her final three seasons at Northwest en route to being named First-Team All-MIAA in 1987, 1988 and 1989. She is also in the 500-rebound club and ranks sixth all-time at Northwest in assists (320) and sixth in steals (204). Clark also finished her career as the all-time leader in three-point percentage at 40.1 percent, a mark she still holds.

Mark Curp, Men’s Cross Country and Track and Field Athlete
Central Missouri, 1977-81
Curp was an eight-time All-American for the Mules cross country and track programs, from 1977-81. He earned three All-American honors from 1978-80 in cross country, and five in outdoor track, including the 5,000 meters from 1979-81, and the 10,000 meters in 1980 and 1981. A member of the 1978 MIAA cross country championship squad, Curp is one of only three athletes to win the MIAA individual cross country title three times (1978-80). His Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field record in the 5,000 meters of 14:13.4 was set in 1981 and still stands to this day, making his record the oldest building record at Central Missouri. Curp also set the UCM school record in the 10,000 meter run in 1980, and the 5,000 meter run in 1981. Both marks stood until just last season, when Laban Sialo broke the 22- and 21-year old marks. After his UCM career, Curp continued to compete, and in 1985, he set the world record in the half-marathon at 1:00:55. His record stood for five years, and his mark stood as an American record until 2007. Curp is a member of the inaugural class inducted into the UCM Athletics Hall of Fame.

Dr. Peggy Martin, Softball and Volleyball Coach
Central Missouri, Softball 1976-79, 81-87; Volleyball 1975-78, 80-2008
Martin is the winningest volleyball coach in NCAA Divsion II history with a career record of 1,064-281-8. Martin’s 1,064-281-8 record made her the first coach in the Divsion II volleyball ranks to reach the 1,000 victory plateau. Martin is one of only three coaches in collegiate volleyball at all levels to reach 1,100 wins. Martin was named the AVCA National Coach of the Year in 1987 after directing the Jennies to their second place NCAA Tournament finish and a 42-4 overall record. She was named the Central Regional Coach of the year six times and the MIAA Coach of the Year 15 times. In 1980 she was named the AIAW Missouri State Coach of the Year. Martin led the Jennies volleyball team to 19 MIAA championships since the league began sponsoring the sport in 1982. She also guide them to 31 straight season’s in which they won 25 matches or more. Her teams made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances in a row, the most in Divsion II History, and reached the Elite Eight six times, highlighted by the runner-up appearance in 1987. As a softball coach she compiled a career record of 174-156 while guiding her team to two MIAA championships. She retired from UCM in 2008 and is currently the head coach for the Spring Hill College Badgers in Mobile, Ala. At Spring Hill she has posted a record of 75-24 entering her fourth season. Martin served as the chair of the NCAA Division II Volleyball Committee for six years. She wrote the books 101 Volleyball Drills and produced four instructional videos. She was inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in Mobile, Ala. in 2006. She earned the distinguished alumni award from Indiana University in the spring of 2007.

Sherri Reeves, Women’s Basketball Coach/Assistant AD
Northwest Missouri, 1971-2001
1971: Was the first women’s basketball coach at Northwest. Compiled a record of 61-15 in her four seasons. Won the 1971-72 MAIAW title. First all-time in program history with an .802 winning percentage. Third in Northwest history in victories (61) and fourth in games coached (76). Was an “M” Club Hall of Fame (Northwest hall of fame) inductee in 2005. 1973: Helped jump start the women’s cross country program at Northwest while she was the athletic director. 1976: By the time Title IX mandates sports sponsorship for female students, Northwest was already sponsoring women’s programs of basketball, tennis, volleyball, track and field, cross country, softball and gymnastics. Named Senior Women’s Athletics Administrator Emeritus upon her retirement in 2001.

Harold Robertson, Basketball Athlete
Lincoln, 1974-78
Robertson is second all-time in the MIAA in scoring with 2,551 points in his four year career at Lincoln. He holds the MIAA career records for career (1,116) and single season (408) field goals made. He led all of Division II and the MIAA in scoring with 34.5 points per game in 1977-78 which stands to this day as the MIAA single season scoring average record. He helped Lincoln to advance to NCAA Division II Regionals in all four seasons he played for the Blue Tigers, also leading them to an MIAA Tournament Title and two MIAA regular season championships. In 1978 he led the Blue Tigers to the Elite Eight and was named to the All-Regional Team as Lincoln finished 22-6 on the season. That same season against Arkansas Little-Rock he set what is still the MIAA single game scoring record pouring in 59 points in the game. His 965 points that season still stands as the MIAA single season scoring record. He was twice named the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player and earned first team All-MIAA honors three times. He was also named an All-American during his senior season. He was a fourth round draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakes in 1978 and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 for his play at Lincoln University.

Warren Turner, Baseball Coach
Missouri Southern 1977-2007
Turner is the all-time wins leader in the history of MSSU baseball. With 852 career victories he also ranks 15th all-time in NCAA history. During his tenure, Turner took five teams to national tournaments. His 1978 squad finished second to Emporia State in the NAIA World Series at St. Joseph, Mo., and Turner was named NAIA national coach of the year that season. Turner’s 1986 and 1987 squads competed in the NAIA World Series at Lewiston, Idaho, finishing seventh and fifth, respectively. He coached MSSU to a pair of NCAA Division II World Series at Montgomery, Ala., with the Lions finishing as the national runner-up in 1991 and finishing fifth the following year. He led MSSU to the CSIC title in 1986, MIAA south division championships in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and MIAA titles in 1991 and 1992. His teams advanced to the NCAA-II regional tournament four times, finishing first in 1990 and 1991, Turner has been named conference Coach of the Year three times (CSIC in 1986 and MIAA in 1991 and 1992). He was the NCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992; NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year in 1978, 1985, 1986 and 1987; and NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1978. Turner was elected to the NAIA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 2008. He also is a member of the MSSU Athletics Hall of Fame.

Ronnie West, Football Athlete
Pittsburg State, 1990-91
West captured the Harlon Hill Award as the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year in 1991, leading Pitt State to a 13-1-1 record and the NCAA-II National Championship. He was named the MIAA Player of the Year that season, catching 74 passes for 1,495 yards and 14 touchdowns, setting the MIAA single-season receiving record that season. He was a two-time first-team All-MIAA selection and finished his career with 123 receptions for 2,521 yards and 27 touchdowns (all Pitt State records). West was a two-time first-team All-America selection (1990-91). He led Division II in punt returns and ranked second nationally in kickoff returns as a junior in 1990. West was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft, but his professional career was cut short by a knee injury.

Bill Westbrook, Basketball Official
Was one of the best MIAA basketball officials working over 20 years in the conference. During his career he worked games in not only the MIAA, but the Big 8 and Big 12 conferences. He did several NCAA Tournament games during the 1980’s, 1990’s and in the 2000’s.

Central Missouri, 2003 Baseball Team
The 2003 Mules Baseball team finished the season 51-7 overall and 27-2 in MIAA play winning the conference crown. They swept through the Regional in Warrensburg and went a perfect 4-0 at the World Series to claim the 2003 National Championship. The 2003 Mules had five first team All-MIAA players, including Player of the Year Zach Norman and Freshman of the Year Steve Murphy. The Mules also had two first team All-Americans in Norman and Joe Strada.

Northwest Missouri, 2009 Football Team
The 2009 Northwest Missouri State football team was one of the most prolific offensive teams in NCAA Division II history en route to claiming the 2009 National Championship. The Bearcats finished the season 14-1 and a perfect 9-0 in the MIAA claiming the program’s 22nd league championship. After falling in the season opener the Bearcats won 14 straight games to claim the title including knocking off Abilene Christian in a re-match of the season opener to avenge their only loss of the season . The offensive numbers continued to pile up for Northwest scoring 632 points on the season, a then-school record. The Bearcats also finished in the top 10 in the nation of seven categories including scoring, pass efficiency , total offense, turnover margin, sacks, passing offense and run defense. The 2009 bearcat senior class never lost an MIAA contest going 36-0 during their careers. Four All-America and five All-MIAA players along with 10 All-Region players emerged from the Northwest team. Included in the list of accolades was the NCAA Division II Receiver of the Year, Jake Soy, the AFCA Coach of the Year, Mel Tjeerdsma, and the Ken B. Jones Award winner for the MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year, Myles Burnsides. For Northwest it gave the program five consecutive championship game appearances, one of two schools at any level to accomplish the feat

Washburn, 2004-05 Women’s Basketball Team
The 2004-05 Washburn Lady Blues won the school’s first NCAA championship in any sport finished the season with a 35-2 record and winning 19 straight to close out the season. Washburn was led at the Elite Eight by Carla Sintra who was named the Most Outstanding Player after the championship game. Washburn won the MIAA regular season with a 16-2 record and won the MIAA postseason tournament in Kansas City as well that season. The Lady Blues swept through the regional playing in Springfield, Mo. and outscored their opponents by a combined 214-180 winning two games by double-digit finals. WU would then win two of the three games in the Elite Eight by ten points or more defeating Seattle Pacific 70-53 in the national championship game.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team stayed No. 24 in the latest NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, released on Wednesday, April 3. The Griffons have won their last 12 games which includes going 8-0 in MIAA competition during that stretch. They hold a 24-8 overall record and a 8-2 record in MIAA play.

Besides the Griffons, Central Oklahoma and Fort Hays State remain in the poll this week as representatives from the MIAA. Central Oklahoma and Fort Hays State both dropped one spot in the rankings as UCO sits 10th with a record of 25-7 and Fort Hays State sits at 18th with a 27-5 record.

Missouri Western and Fort Hays State will have a Top 25 showdown in Hays on Friday, which begins a key weekend for the Griffons on the road. MWSU also faces Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday begining at 1:00 pm. Fort Hays State and Central Oklahoma are atop the MIAA with 9-1 records in league play while MWSU is right behind them with an 8-2 league record.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western women’s tennis team picked up two points in a 7-2 loss against the Truman State Bulldogs. The Griffons fall to 4-13 overall and 1-8 in MIAA play.

The Griffons battled tough in doubles competition picking up a victory in No. 2 doubles. Alyssa Dougan and Kayla Dysart defeated Jessica Gunnuso and Tess Severin 8-6. Denise Chiao and Meara Smith lost a heart breaker at No. 1 doubles by a score of 9-8 against Maggie Schutte and Kim Birenbaum. Schutte and Birenbaum won the tie breaker 7-1.

In singles action Chiao won 6-2, 6-2 against Birenbaum at No. 1 while Ceara Boldridge lost a close match against Severin at No. 4 singles. She fell 6-3, 4-6 and 10-6.

The Griffons return to action on Friday, April 5th when they travel to Lamoni, Iowa to take on Graceland University. Match time is set for 3:00 pm.

Singles competition

1. Schutte,Maggi (TSU) def. Smith,Meara (MWSU) 7-5, 6-1
2. Chiao,Denise (MWSU) def. Birenbaum,Kim (TSU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Gennuso,Jessica (TSU) def. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Severin,Tess (TSU) def. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 3-6, 6-4, 10-6
5. Higgins,Lauren (TSU) def. Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Porter,Kelsey (TSU) def. Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Schutte,Maggi/Birenbaum,Kim (TSU) def. Chiao,Denise/Smith,Meara (MWSU) 9-8 (7-1)
2. Dougan,Alyssa/Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) def. Gennuso,Jessica/Severin,Tess (TSU) 8-6
3. Porter,Kelsey/Higgins,Lauren (TSU) def. Boldridge,Ceara/Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) 8-4

— MWSU Sports Information —

The 12th ranked Missouri Western baseball team had a season low four hits but pulled out a 2-0 victory over the Southwest Baptist Bearcats on Tuesday afternoon in non-conference action. With the victory the Griffons improve to 25-4 on the season.

Mark Spreckels, Jerad Hawkins and Logan Hollingsworth combined to throw a nine hit shutout against the SBU Bearcats. They stranded nine runners on base striking out six and walking just one.

Hawkins improved to 4-0 going four innings while striking out two and giving up six hits. Hollingsworth went one inning picking up his 6th save of the season.

The high powered Griffon offense was held hit less until the 5th inning when Nate Ramler singled to left field. Later in the inning pinch hitter David Chew hit a triple scoring Ramler and Spencer Shockley.

That would be all the Griffons would need as they got their seventh straight victory and 24 victory in the last 25 games.

The Bearcats fall to 10-16 overall with Christian Binger and Josh Herrick both getting two hits. John Latham got the loss going 4.2 innings giving up two hits and two earned runs. He fall to 0-1 overall.

The Griffons return to action on Saturday, April 7 when they take on the Pittsburg State Gorillas in Pittsburg, Kan. The two teams will play a double header starting at 5:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western Women’s Golf team along with nine other teams from the NCAA Central Region battled chilly conditions in the final round of the MWSU Candlewood Suites Classic on Monday at St. Joseph Country Club.

The Griffons fired a round two total of 347 which moved them into 6th place after two round. They fired 702 (355-347) which was one better then Concordia-St. Paul and two strokes back of Henderson State.  Individually, senior Natalie Bird led the way with a two round 166 (86-80) which put her in a tie for 10th. Freshman Callie Wilson fired 175 (90-85) while senior Casi Webb shot 180 (85-95). Anna Kloeppel fired 181 (94-87) while Shelby Stone finished with a 203 (100-103).

Minnesota State won the event by two strokes over Augustana-S.D. firing 667. Arkansas Tech finished in third with a 673.

Individually, Rebecka Surtevall of Arakans Tech won the event firing a two round total of 158 (79-79).  Southwest Minnesota State’s Krista Weiszhaar finished second with a 159 (77-82).

The team has a quick turnaround as they return to action this weekend in the Upper Iowa Invitational in Moravia, Illinois.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team has moved into the Top-15 in the nation in two different polls.

The Griffons are 12th in the College Baseball Line-up weekly poll and 13th in the D2baseballnews.com weekly poll.

Western has won six games in a row and 23-of-24. They are 24-4 overall and 19-1 in MIAA play.

MWSU returns to action on Tuesday, April 2 in St. Joseph, Mo. for a single nine inning game with Southwest Baptist University. It will be a non-conference game that starts at 4:00 p.m. and will air live on ESPN 1550 AM.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball program has two camps lined up for the summer of 2013. The affordable camps meet the training needs for young women of all ages.

The Junior Griffon Fundamental Camp reaches out to the younger girls interested in learning the basic skill and fundamentals of the game and is open and available to all entrants ages 6-13. This camp is geared towards the younger, less experienced players who are either learning the game as a beginner or who want to improve their skills before trying our for varsity or travel teams. This camp will be on Thursday, May 30.

The Senior Griffon Advanced Camp is geared towards the older, more experienced young women who are interested in sharpening their skills in preparation for competitive softball and/or college and is open and available to all entrants ages 14-18. This camp is recommended for players who have experience on a high school varsity team, ASA traveling team, or All-Star team. College coaches around the area will be invited to watch drill work in the morning and scrimmage in the afternoon. This camp will be on Friday, May 31.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team had 18 extra base hits with six being home runs as they completed the series sweep against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. The Griffons won game one 11-1 behind 17 hits and came from behind in game two winning 16-9 scattering 19 hits. The Griffons improve to 24-4 overall and 19-1 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 11, LU 1

The Griffons scored runs in all seven innings in game one and got a strong pitching performance from Banks Born picking up the 11-1 victory. Born improved to 3-0 going five innings giving up just three hits while striking out two in five innings of work.

Offensively the Griffons had 17 hits with Michael Schulze and Spencer Shockley each getting three. The Griffons got two runs with two outs in the first. Kyle Simpson got hit by a pitch and later scored on a Nate Ramler single and a Blue Tiger error. Shockley then doubled in Ramler.

In the second the Griffons once again scored runs with two outs. Jake Schrader doubled and later scored on a Schulze two out double to left center. Bubba Dotson followed that up hitting his seventh homer of the season scoring Schulze giving MWSU the 5-0 lead after two.

In the third Grant Fink and Jimmy Smelcer hit back-to-back homers giving the Griffons the 7-0 lead. For Fink it was his team leading 11th while it was Smelcer’s 4th.

That would be all the Griffons would need as they scored four more runs in the 11-1 victory. Ramler, Smelcer and Jake Schrader all had two hits while Dotson had three RBI.

The Blue Tigers had five hits with Clint Cashen getting two. Scott Jones falls to 2-5 overall going six innings giving up 15 hits with nine earned runs.

Game 2
MWSU 16, LU 9

In game two the Griffons had to come from behind to get the 16-9 victory. Things started well for the Griffons in game two when Dotson hit his 8th homer of the season giving MWSU the 2-0 lead.

The Blue Tigers answered with four hits and three runs in the bottom of the first taking a 3-2 lead. In the top of the second MWSU got the scored tied up when Schrader got hit by a pitch and scored on a Schulze ground out to short stop.

Lincoln regained the lead scoring the next four runs taking a 7-3 lead into the fifth. The Griffons remained calm and exploded in the top of the 5th scoring eight runs on seven hits. Kyle Simpson had four RBI in the inning hitting his fourth homer of the season and then hit a two RBI single later in the inning. MWSU took an 11-7 lead after five.

The Blue Tigers kept battling back scoring two more in the seventh but MWSU got a run in the 8th and four in the 9th winning the third and final game of the series 16-9.

In the game MWSU had 19 hits with Fink getting four with two runs. Dotson, Ramler and Shockley all had three hits while Simpson had five RBI. Kyle Kelly picked up the victory going four innings giving up seven hits and four earned runs. Kelly improves to 2-1 overall.

Lincoln falls to 2-19 overall and 2-16 in MIAA play. The Blue Tigers had 15 hits with Colby Shepherd, Brad Wright, Jonathan Grishman and James Earlywine all getting three. Joe Jungmeyer went four innings in the no decision while Craig Jones falls to 0-1 going 2/3 of an inning giving up two hits and five earned runs.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, April 2 when they play a single nine inning non-conference game against the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. First pitch is set for 4:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

A week after Mother Nature postponed the original date, the Missouri Western Women’s golf team along with nine other teams from the NCAA Central Region battled blustery, chilly conditions in the opening round of the MWSU Candlewood Suites Classic on Sunday at St. Joseph Country Club.

Western fired an opening round 355 which sits in 7th place in the 10 team field. Individually, senior Casi Webb leads
the Griffon lineup with an 85 while senior and lineup #1 player Natalie Bird finished with an 86. Two freshman rounded out the counting scores for the Griffons as Callie Wilson carded a 90 and Anna Kloeppel a 94.

Minnesota State fired a day one best team score of 328, while Arkansas Tech is 11 shots off the pace in second at 339 with Augustana in third place firing a team score of 340.

Individually, Kristina Weiszhaar of Southwest Minnesota State leads the 65 player field as she shot an opening round 77 on the par 72, 5855 yard layout.

The tournament concludes on Monday, April 1 with a 10 AM shotgun start.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team used the long ball extending their winning streak to 12 games defeating the Pittsburg State Gorillas 3-1 and 4-3 on Saturday afternoon. With the win in game one Jackie Bishop became the Griffons all-time leader in victories with 61. She passed Dana Wertz who had 60 career wins from 2004-2007. Also, the victory in game one was Coach Bagley’s 400th career victory. The Griffons are 24-8 overall and 8-2 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 3, PSU 1

In game on the Griffons got another strong pitching performance from Bishop as she went all seven innings giving up five hits while striking out 10. She improves to 12-3 on the season with the victory.

The two teams played scoreless softball until the top of the 5th inning when the Griffons scratched across two runs. The inning started with singles by Maegan Roemmich and Taylor Anding. Sarah Elliott hit a sacrifice fly scoring Roemmich from third and the Bre Fleschner singled in Anding giving MWSU the 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth the Gorillas cut the Griffon lead in half when Kreslee Ketcham led off the inning with a homer. The Griffons responded in the top of the 7th when Roemmich hit her fifth homer of the giving MWSU the 3-1 lead. Bishop got the Gorillas go down in order in the seventh for the victory.

The Griffons had eight hits with Fleschner and Roemmich both getting two. Roemmich scored two runs in the contest.

Kyndel Shelburn got the loss for PSU falling to 6-5 on the season. She went all seven giving up eight hits and three earned runs. PSU had five hits with Ketcham getting two.

Game 2
MWSU 4, PSU 3

In game two the Griffons got out of numerous jams stranding eight PSU runners on base which included the bases loaded in the fifth and sixth inning. Things started quick for the Griffons with Tiffany Gillaspy hitting her 6th homer of the season giving MWSU the 3-0 lead.

The Gorillas answered right back when Ketcham hit her second homer of the day cutting the MWSU lead to 3-2 after one. Things stayed that way until the top of the third when Keri Lorbert hit her 10th homer of the season giving MWSU the 4-2 lead.

The score remained 4-2 until the bottom of the 6th. PSU led off the inning with a homer to right field by McKenzie Rynard. Despite loading the bases relief pitcher Bishop struck out the side getting out of trouble.

In the bottom of the 7th Ketcham led off with a single and then Bishop struck out Tiffany Brown and got Rynard to hit into the double play dropping the Gorillas to 17-15 overall and 5-7 in MIAA play.

The Griffons had just five hits with Lorbert getting two. She is now two homer away from tying the career record. She had 35 and the career record is 37 held by Amy Beverly (2004-2007). Janie Smith improved to 12-3 going four innings giving up five hits and two earned runs while striking out five. Bishop picked up her third save of the season going three innings giving up six hits and striking out six.

The Gorillas had 11 hits with Jordan Bradshaw, Ketcham and Catie Cummins all getting two. Kylie Harpst fell to 3-3 going five innings giving up five hits and three earned runs.

The Griffons will return to action on Friday, April 5 when they travel to Hays, Kan. to take on the Fort Hays State Tigers in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —