Missouri Western senior Kyle Simpson has been named the MIAA Hitter of the Week for his performance last weekend against Emporia State. Simpson helped the Griffons to a three game sweep of the Hornets helping MWSU improve to 4-3 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play.

Simpson had an outstanding weekend helping the Griffons to a three game sweep over the Emporia State Hornets. Simpson had seven hits in the three games which included four in the first game. He had a triple, home run and two singles along with three RBI and three runs scored.

In the Griffons 12-2 victory on on Sunday Simpson went 3-for-5 with two doubles one RBI and three runs scored. Simpson hit .583 with seven hits with four being for extra bases. The 6-2 senior infielder is a native of Camdenton, Mo. where he competed at Camdenton High School and Longview Community College prior to MWSU.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Griffons had 14 hits with six doubles and two home runs in a 12-2 victory over the Emporia State Hornets completing the three game sweep. The Griffons improve to 4-3 on the season and 3-0 in MIAA play.

The two teams played scoreless baseball for the first three innings. In the top of the fourth Kyle Simpson doubled down the left field line and later scored on a double by Grant Fink giving MWSU the 1-0 lead.

In the fifth the Griffons capitalized on three walks and fielding error by the Hornet left fielder scoring five runs on two hits. Bubba Dotson singled in Jake Schrader while Nate Ramler blasted his first homer of the season scoring Simpson. After five MWSU led 6-0.

The Griffons played solid defense the next couple of innings stranding a couple of ESU base runners. In the seventh the Griffons got five two out hits scoring five more runs. Simpson, Ramler and fink all had doubles while David Chew blasted an two run homer giving MWSU the 11-0 lead.

The Griffon pitchers allowed just two runs for ESU as MWSU came away with the 10 run victory.

Simpson, Ramler and Fink all had three hits while Ramler had three runs scored and three RBI. Simpson scored three runs while Dotson scored twice.

Brandon Simmons improves to 2-0 on the season going five inning giving up just three hits and striking out five.

Shawn Talkington picked up the loss for ESU going 4.2 innings giving up four hits and two earned runs. The Hornets had seven hits in the contest with Skylar Angood going 2-for-3. Todd Schultz hit a two run homer for Emporia State.

The Griffons will play their first home games of the season on Saturday, February 23 with a double header against Southwest Baptist. Game times are set for 1:00 pm and 3:00 from the MWSU Baseball Field at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team struggled offensively at the UAM Seven State Classic going 1-1 on the final day. The Griffons hit just .235 on the day defeating Oklahoma Christian 6-4 and falling against Southern Arkansas 3-2. After two weekends of play the Griffons are 7-3 overall.

Game 1
MWSU 6, Oklahoma Christian 4
In game one against Oklahoma Christian the Griffons used a big fifth inning scoring five runs with four coming off the bat of senior center fielder Maegan Roemmich giving MWSU a 6-2 lead.

Griffon relief pitcher Janie Smith gave up a run in the sixth and one in the seventh but was able to get the victory. She pitched 2.2 innings giving up four hits, two earned runs and striking out three. Starting pitcher Jackie Bishop went 4.1 innings giving up five hits with three strikeouts.

Oklahoma Christian took the early 1-0 lead in the third inning when Kendra Pierce double in Sarah Peoples. The Griffons tied the score in their half of the third when Sarah Elliott singled and scored on a single by Bre Fleschner.

OCU regained the lead in the 5th when Peoples doubled to right field and scored on an error by the Griffons right fielder. The next half inning would be the Griffons big inning. With two outs Fleschner walked, Stevenson singled, Gillaspy singled scoring Fleschner tying the score at two. Lorbert would reach on an error by the third baseman and Roemmich stepped to the plate blasting a grand slam.

Fleschner and Roemmich both had two hits in the contest while Sorensen walked twice.

Oklahoma Christian falls to 4-4 on the season as Danielle Collins falls to 0-1 on the season. Collins went 4.2 innings giving up six hits and two earned runs. Peoples had three of OCU’s nine hits while Pierce had two.

Game 2
Southern Arkansas 3, MWSU 2
In game two the Griffons were held to just one hit through five innings of play. The Lady Riders plated one in the first and one in the second inning claiming a 2-0 lead.

The lead remained 2-0 until the sixth inning when Elliott and Stevenson hit doubles and Stevenson tied the game advancing on a first and third situation.

It looked as if the Griffons were going to get out of the 7th unharmed as Brooke Schaben got the first two batters. On the third batter of the inning she made a fielding error which allowed SAU to get a double down the right field line taking the 3-2 lead.

MWSU threatened in the bottom of the 7th when Schaben singled and advanced to second on an Taylor Anding ground out. Elliott would single to center field but Schaben would get thrown out at the plate ending the game.

MWSU had five hits with Elliott collecting two. Schaben falls to 0-2 on the season going all seven striking out six and giving up two earned runs.

Southern Arkansas improves to 5-8 on the season. Hanna Gill went all seven giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out five. SAU had six hits with two by Lauren Witzke. The also had nine runner left on base.

The Griffons return to action on Thursday, February 21 when they take on Western Oregon and University of Hawaii at Hilo in Hilo, Hawaii. Game times are set for 2:00 pm and 4:15 pm CST.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team opened up MIAA play with two victories against Emporia State by scores of 8-5 and 7-6. The Griffons improve to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in MIAA action.

Game 1: MWSU 8, ESU 5
In game one the Griffons got a solid outing from junior pitcher Jake Jones as he picked up his first victory of the season. He improves to 1-0 with the victory. Logan Hollingsworth came into get the save in game one.

Offensively Kyle Simpson had an outstanding game hitting a home run, triple and two singles. Grant Fink also hit a homer in the first game for the Griffons.

Game 2: MWSU 7, ESU 6
The Griffons mounted a four run eighth inning to pick up a 7-6 victory in game two against the Hornets. In game two Ethan Ward pitched six strong innings. He left the game with the score tied at three. Hollingworth once again came in for relief. He pitched well picking up the victory.

Offensively Jimmy Smelcer and David Chew hit homers. Shawn Egge had the game tying single in the eighth and Michael Schulze got the game winning hit.

Emporia State falls to 1-5 on the season and 0-2 in MIAA play.

The two teams will wrap up the three game series tomorrow February 17 with a single nine inning game. First pitch is scheduled for noon from Trusler Sports Complex.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team picked up two more victories on day two of the Arkansas-Monticello Seven State classic defeating Henderson State 6-1 and Arkansas-Monticello 2-1. The Griffons pitching led the way giving up just two runs while striking out 11. MWSU improves to 6-2 on the season.

Game 1
Missouri Western 6, Henderson State 1

The Griffons and the Reddies got off to a slow start as each team had only one hit through four innings of play.

In the fifth inning the Griffons offensive exploded for five runs on five hits claiming a 5-0 lead. After an out the Griffons got a single by Kendall Sorenson and a double by Janie Smith putting runners on second and third with one out.

Taylor Anding got on by a fielders choice with Sorensen scoring on a throwing error by the short stop. Back-to-back singles by Sarah Elliott and Bre Fleschner put MWSU 4-0. Later in the inning Elliott stole home giving the Griffons the 5-0 lead.

In the sixth both teams got out of bases loaded jams giving up zero runs. In the top of the seventh Keri Lorbert hit her fourth homer of the season giving MWSU the 6-0 lead.

Janie Smith gave up a homer in the bottom half of the seventh but forced a double play ending the game. Smith improves to 3-0 on the season pitching her first complete game of her career. She gave up just three hits while striking out five. The Griffons had eight hits with Michelle Stevenson and Sorensen both getting two.

The Reddies fell to 4-9 on the season with the loss. Kayla Williams picked up the loss going just 4.1 innings giving up six hits and four earned runs. She falls to 2-2 on the season. Sarah Gipson hit the homer for the Reddies going 1-for-1 in the game.

Game 2
Missouri Western 2, Arkansas-Monticello 1

Against UAH the Griffons held on for the 2-1 victory. Jackie Bishop got out of a bases loaded no out jam in the sixth inning after giving up one run. Bishop then shut down the Blossoms picking up her third victory of the season. Bishop gave up five hits while striking out six.

The Griffons scored both their runs in the third inning getting four hits with two of them bouncing off the fence. Elliott double to right center leading off the inning and then Fleschner got a bunt single advancing Elliott to third.

Stevenson tried a squeeze bunt but Elliott got tagged out at home. The next play was a double steal which Fleschner just got under the tag giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead. With two outs Keri Lorbert blooped a single down the left field line scoring Stevenson which proved to be the game winner.

Randa Perry pitched all seven innings for UAM giving up four hits and two earned runs. She falls to 4-3 on the season with four strikeouts. The Blossoms had five hits with five different players getting hits. UAM falls to 8-5 with the loss.

The Griffons will be in action again on Sunday, February 17 with games against Oklahoma Christian and Southern Arkansas. Game times are 9:00 am and 11:00 am respectively.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team pounded out 25 hits and scored 18 runs defeating Illinois-Springfield 9-1 and Nebraska-Kearney 9-5 on day one of the UAM Seven State Classic. Taylor Anding led the way with a .571 batting average while Michelle Stevenson had five hits helping MWSU improve to 4-2.

MWSU 9, Illinois-Springfield 1 (6 innings)
In the opening game of the classic the Griffons got off to a hot start with Keri Lorbert hitting her third home run of the season giving the Griffons a 2-0 lead after an inning. The scored remained that way until Tina Buck hit a solo homer cutting the Griffons lead to one after three an a half innings.

From there it would be all MWSU scoring seven runs in the next three innings. In the fourth inning Sarah Elliott blasted her second homer of the season giving MWSU a 5-1 lead after four. In the fifth Taylor Anding had an RBI single scoring Maegan Roemmich.

In the sixth inning the Griffons had three straight hits which included a three run homer by Tiffany Gillaspy ending the game and giving MWSU the 9-1 victory.

The Griffons had 12 hits with Stevenson getting three while scoring two runs. Breanna Fleschner and Anding both had two hits while Gillaspy had three RBI.

Jackie Bishop improves to 2-1 on the season going all six inning scattering four hits while striking out eight.

Four different Prairie Stars got hits in the game. Buck picked up the loss going just three innings giving up six hits and four earned runs. She also struck out four. UIS falls to 0-1 on the season.

MWSU 9, Nebraska-Kearney 5
The hot bats continued in game two as the Griffons pounded out 13 hits and scored eight runs in the first two innings taking a 8-0 lead after two. Fleschner led off the game with a home run over the center field fence and then Roemmich doubled in Gillaspy giving MWSU the 2-0 lead.

In the second inning the Griffons had four hits with three singles and a double helping them to six runs.

The Lopers scored five unanswared runs which included a three run homer in the sixth by Samantha Liebman cutting the Griffon lead to 8-5 heading to the seventh inning.

Back-to-back doubles in the seventh by Anding and Elliott gave MWSU a 9-5 lead going to the bottom of the seventh. Emily Moe came into close the door on UNK giving up one hit and walking one in one inning of work. Janie Smith pitched six innings scattering nine hits with four earned runs. She improves to 2-0 on the season.

Smith also had two hits with one run scored in her first game hitting this season. Gillaspy had three hits while Stevenson, Anding and Elliott each collecting two.

Becky Dunn got the loss for UNK going one inning giving up five hits and four earned runs. She falls to 1-2 on the season. Nebraska-Kearney had ten hits with Mallory Noakes collecting three. They fall to 1-4 with the loss.

The Griffons return to action on Saturday, February 16 with games against Henderson State and Arkansas-Monticello. Game times are set for 10:00 am and 12:00 pm respectively.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western tennis team fell 9-0 in their MIAA and home opener against the Northeastern State University RiverHawks. The Griffons fall to 3-3 on the season and 0-1 in MIAA play. The Griffons were 3-2 during their fall season.

Denise Chiao played the best singles for the Griffons falling at No. 1 singles 6-2 and 6-3 against Ivana Belejova. In doubles Meara Smith and Chiao fell 8-3 against Belejova and Kristina Savchenkov. Kayla Dysart and Lindsay Beger fell 8-5 at No. 2 doubles against Houda Bellamine and Jeanne Mallem.

The Griffons return to action on February 22 when they take on Lincoln University and Maryville University. Match times are set for 9:30 am and 3:30 pm at the St. Joseph Tennis and Swim Club.

Singles competition

1. Belejova,Ivana (NSU) def. Chiao,Denise (MWSU) 6-2, 6-3

2. Savchenkov,Kristina (NSU) def. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 6-2, 6-0

3. Mallem,Jeanne (NSU) def. Smith,Meara (MWSU) 6-1, 6-2

4. Bellamine,Houda (NSU) def. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 6-1, 6-0

5. Bruzikova,Martina (NSU) def. Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) 6-0, 6-0

6. Jirickova,Barbora (NSU) def. Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Belejova,Ivana/Savchenkov,Kristina (NSU) def. Chiao,Denise/Smith,Meara (MWSU) 8-3

2. Bellamine,Houda/Mallem,Jeanne (NSU) def. Dysart,Kayla/Beger,Lindsay (MWSU) 8-5

3. Bruzikova,Martina/Jirickova,Barbora (NSU) def. Boldridge,Ceara/Dougan,Alyssa (MWSU) 8-0

— MWSU Sports Information —

One week after defeating top-25 Washburn on the road, the Missouri Western men’s basketball team played the Ichabods at home. This one went into overtime, as the Icahbods pulled out a 56-52 victory.

In the first half, the Griffons’ defense played a huge role in taking a quick lead. They jumped out to a 19-6 lead in the first 13 minutes.

The Griffons separated themselves at the end of the half, as Alfreeman Flowers made a layup, followed by a steal by Adarius Fulton, passed to Flowers, who finished the play off with a lay-in resulting in a foul called on the Ichabods. The three-point play put Missouri Western ahead 27-18 at halftime.

Reed Mells scored seven points in the first half, tied with Flowers for the team-high. Dzenan Mrkaljevic recorded 11 rebounds in the half. Washburn shot 7-for-26 from the field, going 1-for-8 from the 3-point line.

The Ichabods came out in the second half scoring with efficiency. They scored the first 11 points to take a 29-27 lead. Both teams played an evenly matched game throughout the second period, with neither team taking more than a three-point lead. Washburn held a slim, 46-45 lead with less than 20 seconds to play.

Kalvin Balque was fouled with 2 seconds to play, and split the free throws to send the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Washburn scored the first four points to lead 50-46. Missouri Western drew within two with the ball, but a failed 3-point attempt gave Washburn the ball, and the Ichabods eventually won 56-52 in overtime.

— MWSU Sports Information —