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Category: Missouri Western

Griffons debut at No. 5 in regional rankings

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The Missouri Western softball team sits 5th in the first South Central Regional poll of the 2012 season. The Griffons are 34-7 overall and 32-7 in regional play after splitting with Drury University on Tuesday evening in St. Joseph. The Griffons are also 15th in the latest NFCA Division II Coaches Poll.

The top eight teams earn a regional bid with the first and second seeds hosting four team regionals which will be played the first weekend in May. The #1 seed will host the #8, #4 and #5 seeds while the #2 seed will host the #7, #3 and the #6 seeds. The winners of each regional will take on each other in a best of three series the second weekend in May at the highest seed for a chance to go to the elite eight.

The Griffons have been to a regional five of the last seven season (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011) which includes being the #5 seed in 2011.

South Central
1     Angelo State         34-7     34-6
2     Central Oklahoma     33-3     33-3
3     Emporia State         27-7     26-7
4     Abilene Christian     25-10     24-10
5     Missouri Western State     33-6     31-6
6     Tarleton State         25-13     25-13
7     Southeastern Oklahoma     29-12     29-12
8     Texas Woman’s         29-12     25-12
9     West Texas A&M         23-13     20-11
10     St. Mary’s (Texas)     25-16     24-15

The Griffons return to action on Saturday, April 14 when they take on the Lincoln Blue Tigers in MIAA action. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm from the MWSU Softball Field. It will be senior day at the field as Western honors Blair Stalder and Leah Steele.

— MWSU Sports Information —

MWSU’s Bishop earns another MIAA softball honor

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For the fourth time this season sophomore pitcher Jackie Bishop has earned MIAA Pitcher of the Week honors. Bishop has also earned the honor in back-to-back weeks for the second time this season. Bishop is 19-2 on the season with 193 strikeouts and a 0.80 ERA. She has pitched four consecutive shutouts with eight on the season in 19 complete games.

Bishop continued her dominance this season pitching seven innings of scoreless softball while picking up three victories improving her record to 18-2 on the season. The sophomore from Kirksville, Mo., pitched a complete game shutout on Friday striking out a career best 16 batters in a 5-0 victory over Pittsburg State. In game two, Bishop came in the game in the seventh with the game tied at two and struck out the side in the seventh and eighth innings pickup up her second victory on the day. On Saturday against Missouri Southern, she picked up where she left off striking out eight Lions in a five inning game. She pitched 18 complete games with seven shutouts on the season.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western softball moves up two spots to No. 15 in NFCA Top 25

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After winning four MIAA road games and splitting with Drury University on Tuesday evening the Griffons moved up to 15th in the latest NFCA Division II Coaches Poll. The Griffons have won nine of its last ten games and 20 of its last 23. Western is 34-7 on the season and 16-2 in MIAA play with eight scheduled regular season games to play.

The Griffons have been paced by stellar pitching from sophomore Jackie Bishop. Bishop has a 0.80 ERA and has a 19-2 overall record. She has shutout her last four opponents and has thrown eight shutouts on the season and 19 complete games. She has 193 strikeouts on the season and is 31 away from tying her single season record of 224.

Offensively the Griffons are hitting .310 Maegan Roemmich and Breanna Fleschner hitting .377 and .376 respectively. Four other Griffons are also hitting above .300. Keri Lorbert leads the team in RBI with 37.

Western return to action on Saturday, April 15 with a doubleheader against MIAA opponent Lincoln University. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm from the MWSU Softball Field.

Saturday will also be Senior Day and Alumnae Day for the softball team. The Griffons will recognize senior student-athletes Leah Steele and Blair Stalder as they will be playing their last few regular season home games in the black and gold. In between games the Griffons will recognize the 1982 NAIA National Championship team as well as any alumnae that are in attendence.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffons sweep doubleheader at No. 22 Emporia State

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The Missouri Western baseball team picked up a big doubleheader sweep over the 22nd ranked Hornets of Emporia State on Tuesday afternoon in MIAA action. After giving up a four run lead in game one the Griffons were able to battle back for a 5-4 victory before earning a 6-2 victory in game two. The Griffons improve to 23-11 overall and 16-8 in MIAA action.

Game 1: MWSU 5, ESU 4 (8 innings)
In game one the Griffons pounded out 11 hits as they hung on to get a 5-4 victory in extra innings. Western scored two runs in the third when Nate Ramler blasted his sixth homer of the season.

Things looked good for Western as they scored two more in the sixth when Jimmy Smelcer doubled to left center scoring Grant Fink and Kyle Peterson hit a sacrafice fly scoring Ramler.

In the bottom of the seventh the Hornets came out swinging scoring four runs on six hits pushing the game to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth the Griffons got a single by Ramler and then Jack Bond pinch ran and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Shawn Egge singled down the right field line giving the Griffons the 5-4 lead.

Jake Jones gave up two hits in the eighth but was able to work through the hits getting his sixth save of the season.

Ramler had three hits scoring two runs and getting two RBI. Ethan Ward went 6.1 innings giving up six hits and four earned runs. Chris Allen picked up the win going 0.2 innings giving up two hits.

The Hornets had two 10 hits with Kornburst going 2-for-4. Picht picked up the loss for ESU going one inning giving up two hits and one earned run.

Game 2: MWSU 6, ESU 2
The Griffons got a strong pitching performance from Oliver Kady going five innings giving up just four hits and two runs while striking out two picking up his first victory of the season. Matt Bergin pitched well in releif going two innings with three strikeouts.

Western got on the board in the first inning when Grant Fink doubled and scored on a single to right field by Spencer Shockley.

The score remained 1-0 until the second inning when the Hornets scored two runs on two hits. Eric Dawson singled through the left side and Ashton McCoy followed that up with a hit by a pitch putting runners on first and second with no one out. Later on in the inning Dorrian Williams doubled to left center scoring both Dawson and McCoy giving the Hornets the 5-4 lead.

The Griffons answered right back in the third scoring two on two hits. Michaell Schulze singled and scored on a wild pitch while Bubba Dotson scored on a single by Spencer Shockley.

In the fourth the Griffons put the game out of reach when Shawn Egge blasted his first homer of the season giving Western the 6-2 lead.

That would be all the Griffons would need as the Hornets fall to 20-12 overall and 15-9 in MIAA action.

Spencer Shockley and Grant Fink both had two hits in the contest while Egge had three RBI.

The Hornets had five hits with five different players getting hits. Zach Gove picked up the loss going 3.1 innings giving up five hits and four earned runs.

The Griffons return to action on Saturday, April 14 when they play a doubleheader against the Pittsburg State Gorillas in Pittsburg, Kan. Game time is set for 2:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western softball splits with Drury

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The 17th ranked Missouri Western softball team split in non-conference action against Drury on Tuesday afternoon at the MWSU Softball Field. Western won game one 1-0 behind a strong pitching performance from Jackie Bishop before falling in game two 1-0. The Griffons sit at 33-7 on the season.

Game 1: MWSU 1, Drury 0
The Missouri Western softball team won its 12th straight home game with a 1-0 victory in game one over the Drury Panthers. Maegan Roemmich hit her fourth home run of the year in the second inning which proved to be the difference as the Griffons stranded five with six hits.

Jackie Bishop continued her dominance improving to 19-2 overall going the distance. She gave up just one hit while striking out nine Panthers. She pitched her 19th complete game and eighth shutout in the victory. The shutout marked her fourth in a row.

The Panthers left three on base as Bishop hit two and gave up one hit to leadoff batter Stacy Razo.

Keri Lorbert had two of the Griffons six hits while Bre Fleschner, Kendall Sorenson, Roemmich and Leah Steele all got one.

Game 2: Drury 1, MWSU0
The Griffons had runners on the base paths in every inning in game two but could not get the big hit stranding 11 runners. The only run that the Pathers got was in the first inning when they scored on a throwing error by Leah Steele. Annalee Rubio shutdown the Pathers after the first going all seven inning giving up for hits and one run while striking out six. She falls to 12-5 with the loss.

Western left at least one runner on base in all seven inning which included the bases loaded in the third and fifth inning. The Griffons had eight hits with Bre Fleschner going 2-for-4.

Drury sits at 27-16 on the season as they had just four hits in the contest. Kelsea Garthoff improves to 14-5 on the season going seven innings giving up eight hits and strikeing out five.

Western returns to action on Saturday, April 15 when they take on MIAA opponent Lincoln University. Game time is set for 2:00 pm from the MWSU Softball Field.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western tennis gets shutout by William Jewell

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The Missouri Western tennis team fell to 3-8 on the season with a 9-0 defeat against the Cardinals of William Jewell. The Griffons won games in every set of the match but two.

The Griffons closest doubles match came at No. 3 as Alecia Jenkins and Erin Ward fell 8-5 against Hana Lindblom and Carolyn Klenda. Ceara Boldridge and Kayla Dysart fell 8-3 at No. 1 doubles while Nicole Kerr and Katie Field fell 8-2 in No. 2 doubles.

In singles matches Dysart played the closest match falling 6-1 and 6-3 against Lindbloom at No. 3 singles. Kerr fell 6-1 and 6-2 againt Paula Peters at No. 1 singles while Boldrige fell 6-1 and 6-2 against Carli Bisesi at No. 2 singles.

The Griffons return to MIAA action on Friday, April 13 hosting the Truman State Bulldogs at 4:00 pm.

William Jewell 9, Missouri Western State 0

Apr 10, 2012 at Kansas City, Mo (Clayview Country Club)

Singles competition

1. Peters, Paula (WJC) def. Kerr, Nicole (MWSU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Bisesi, Carli (WJC) def. Boldridge, Ceara (MWSU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Lindbloom, Hana (WJC) def. Dysart, Kayla (MWSU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Baker, Jaimie (WJC) def. Ward, Erin (MWSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Dinkel, Chelsea (WJC) def. Jenkins, Alecia (MWSU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Hazelrigg, Connor (WJC) def. Field, Katie (MWSU) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Peters, Paula/Lehenbauer,Katy (WJC) def. Boldridge, Ceara/Dysart, Kayla (MWSU) 8-3
2. Hazelrigg, Connor/Hazelrigg, Loree (WJC) def. Kerr, Nicole/Field, Katie (MWSU) 8-2
3. Lindbloom, Hana/Klenda, Carolyn (WJC) def. Jenkins, Alecia/Ward, Erin (MWSU) 8-5

— MWSU Sports Information —

MWSU men’s golfers finished 12th at Washburn

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The Missouri Western men’s golf team struggled on day two of the Washburn Ichabod Invitational firing a final round 330 which dropped them to 12th place. The Griffons fired a two day total of 644 which was seven strokes back of Southwest Baptist’s 637 (311-326) for 11th place.  The winner of the event was Central Missouri firing a two day total of 599 (302-297).

Lindenwood finihsed in second place just one stroke back firing 600 (300-300) while host school Washburn finihsed third with a 604 (301-302). Day one leader Fort Hays State dropped to 4th tying with Pittsburg State with 610’s.

Senior Logan Gilliland led the way for Western firing a 158 (77-81) while junior Tyler Gast fired a 159 (78-81). Kenny Stone fired 160 while Scott Sheldon who played as an individual shot 161. Derek Hawkins and James O’Brien wrapped up the scoring for the Griffons with 167 and 169 respectively.

The winner of the event was Bryan Steele of Southwest Baptist with a 2-under 140 (69-71).

The Griffons wrap up the season next Monday and Tuesday taking part in the MIAA Championships in Smithville, Mo. at Paradise Pointe Golf Course.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western tied with Northwest after day one at Avila

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Paced by junior Natalie Bird, the Missouri Western women’s golf team is just one stroke back of the lead firing an opening round 325 in the Avila Invitational at the Fred Arbansas Golf Club.

Bird continued her solid play with 76, her lowest round of the 2011-12 season. She fired a front nine 34 and finished up her round with a 42 on the back nine. Northwest Missouri State’s Cassie Lowell shares the first round lead with Bird as she also finished with a 76.

The Bearcats sit just one stroke ahead of the Griffons in first place at 324. Western is 28 strokes better than third place William Jewell while host Avila sits in fourth.

A pair of Griffons join Bird near the top of the leaderboard as Casi Webb and Darcy Smith closed out day one in fourth and sixth place respectively. Webb shot a first round 81 while Smith fired an 83.

Shelby Stone capped the Griffon scoring with an 85 while Kristen Cooley fired a first round 86.

The Griffons will try and catch the Bearcats in round two as teams return to the course Tuesday morning for a final round shotgun start.

2 Missouri Western St. 325
T 1 Natalie Bird             34- 42     76
T 4 Casi Webb              41- 40     81
T 6 Darcy Smith            42- 41     83
T 10 Shelby Stone        42- 43     85
T 12 Kristen Cooley     43- 43     86

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffon men struggle on day one at Washburn as they sit 11th

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The Missouri Western men’s golf team sits in 11th place after a round one 314 in the Washburn Invitational at the Topeka Country Club in Topeka, Kan. Eight schools are 10 strokes or less behind leader Fort Hays State who fired 299 in the opening round. Lindenwood and Missouri Southern are one stroke back with 300’s.

Scott Sheldon and Kenny Stone fired low rounds for the Griffons with 76 tying them for 22nd. Sheldon is playing as an individual in the event. Logan Gilliland and Tyler Gast fired under 80 with 77 and 78 respectively while Derek Hawkins and James O’Brien finished with 83’s.

The leader of the event is Bryan Steele of Southwest Baptist with a  -2 under par 69. He is one stroke better than Pittsburg State’s Justin Valdivia’s 70.

The event will conclude tomorrow with an 18-hole round.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western splits four-game series at Northwest

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Missouri Western baseball concluded its first road trip in nearly a month Saturday, with a four-game series split at rival Northwest Missouri State.

The Griffons won game one 7-5, but were run-ruled 11-1 (eight innings) in game two to finish the weekend 2-2 against the Bearcats.

DH Nate Ramler led Western Saturday, going 4-8 with 3 RBI’s in the doubleheader.

The Griffons now stand 21-11 overall and 14-8 in MIAA conference play.  Northwest is now 12-21 and 10-4 in the conference.

GAME 1

The Griffons fell behind early, but a four-run fifth inning proved to be the difference in game one.

Western catcher Tony Loeffler led off the top of the fifth with a solo home run–the first of his two-year career as a Griffon– to make it a 3-2 game. Grant Fink later tied the game with a two-out RBI single, and Nate Ramler followed with a two-run double to right center, which gave Western its first lead of the game at 5-3.

Andrew Pieper’s RBI base hit in the sixth inning gave Western a 6-3 lead.  Northwest answered in the bottom of the sixth when Sean Garber hit a two-run home run off of Griffon starter Nik Jurado to cut the Griffon lead to one.  Pitcher Jake Jones relieved Jurado and got Western out of a two-on, one out jam, by striking out two batters.

Jurado picked up the win for Western, improving his record to 5-0 this season.  Jones picked up a five-out save, his fifth of the season.

The Griffons had 12 hits in the victory, with Ramler and Fink adding two hits a piece.

GAME 2

The Griffon bats went quiet in game two in an 11-1 run-rule loss in eight innings.

Northwest pitchers Sean Brady, Carson Smith and Pat Brady combined to four-hit the Griffons.  The Bearcats, meanwhile, pounded out 14 hits, including catcher Landinn Eckhardt’s 3-run home run in the 8th inning to complete the win and force the series split.

Oliver Kadey took the loss for Western, giving up 2 runs and last just 1/3 of an inning.

Western’s road swing continues Tuesday with a doubleheader at Emporia State, and continues Friday with a four-game series at Pittsburg State.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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