The 17th ranked Missouri Western softball team escaped the rain and Joplin with a doubleheader sweep over the Missouri Southern Lions. The Griffons pounded out 11 hits in game one winning 11-0 in five innings before grinding out a 1-0 victory in game two for the sweep. Western improves to 33-6 overall and 16-2 in MIAA action.

Game 1: MWSU 11, MSSU 0 (5 Innings)
After two rain delays the Griffons were able to come away with an 11-0 run rule victory in game one of the doubleheader. Western pounded out 11 hits with five being for extra bases which included a two run home run by Maegan Roemmich giving Western the 7-0 lead after three innings of play. The homer was her third of the season.

Jackie Bishop picked up her 18th victory of the season going all five innings striking out eight Lion batters while giving up just two hits.

The Griffons scored two runs in the first and third inning, three runs in the second and fifth inning and one in the fourth in the victory. Western had four doubles one each by Kendall Sorenson, Blair Stalder, Leah Steele and Sarah Elliott. Stalder and Elliott both had three hits in the game while Roemmich and Steele each had two. Elliott had three RBI while Roemmich and Steele both had two.

The Lions got hits from Breanna Volkmann and Kiley Siebenaler while Hannah Cooke falls to 3-10 going just 1.2 inings. She gave up four hits and five earned runs. Kayce Moore went 3.1 innings giving up eight hits and six earned runs for the Lions.

Game 2: MWSU 1, MSSU 0
The Griffons put together a two out rally in the top of the seventh inning pushing across the game winning run. With two outs Kat Steponovich drew a walk and then Sarah Elliott got hit by a pitch putting runners on first and second. Bre Fleschner reached on a fielders choice as the second baseman muffed a throw by the shortstop loading the bases. Kendall Sorenson stepped to the plate and battled off numerous pitches before drawing a walk pushing in Steponvich.

Annalee Rubio made things interesting in the seventh giving up a double with two outs before giving up a solid line drive out to left fielder Fleschner. She settled down striking out pinch hitter Chloe Brown for the last out picking up her 12th victory of the season. Rubio struckout seven in the outing.

Western had four hits in the game with Fleschner, Stalder, Lorbert and Steponvich all getting hits.

Hayley Pypes falls to 8-6 on the season giving up just four hits with four strikeouts. The Lions fall to 13-28 overall and 4-8 in MIAA action.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, April 10 when they step out of MIAA play taking on Drury University in a doubleheader. Game times are set for 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm from the MWSU Softball Field in St. Joseph, Mo.  Both games will air live on 680 KFEQ.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Maryville was “Splitsville” for Missouri Western baseball Friday.  The Griffons split a doubleheader with rival Northwest, winning game one 2-1 and falling 9-1 in game two.

The Griffons, (20-10, 13-7 MIAA) and Bearcats (10-21, 9-13 MIAA) conclude the series with two more games Saturday in Maryville.  First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. and you can listen live to game one on ESPN 1550 and at www.espnstjoseph.com.

Game 1

Western 2, Northwest 1

Brandon Simmons scattered seven hits and picked up his seventh win of the season in another complete game gem, as the Griffons defeated the Bearcats 2-1.

The Griffons got on the board right away in the top of the first, with a Spencer Shockley RBI groundout.  Northwest answered with a run in the bottom-half of the inning, scoring after an error by 3rd baseman Grant Fink.

Western answered immediately in the top of the 2nd, with what proved to be the winning run, when Jimmy Smelcer scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Sean Egge.

Smelcer went 2-3 in the game.  Simmons pitched his way out of multiple jams during the game including the 3rd inning, when Northwest had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out.  Simmons then struck out Northwest DH Eric McGlauflin, and picked off Cameron Bedard at 1st base to get out of the inning.

Simmons struck out six in route to the complete game victory.  His record now stands at 7-2.

Game 2

Northwest 9, Western 1

Two big Bearcat innings sunk the Griffons in game two Friday.  Northwest used a four-run second inning and a five-run seventh inning to avoid the doubleheader sweep and pull a 9-1 win.

Ethan Ward (4-2) took the loss for Western.  Ward lasted just two innings, giving up 4 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks.

Northwest attacked relief pitcher Logan Hollingsworth in the 7th.  Hollingsworth was credited with the remaining five Bearcat runs in the inning.

Western scored its lone run in the second inning on an Andrew Pieper infield hit that scored Spencer Shockley.  Pieper was 3-3 in the game.

— MWSU Sports Information —

After winning four MIAA games last weekend the Missouri Western softball team moved up four sports to 17th in this weeks NFCA Division II Top 25 poll. The Griffons are currently 29-6 on the season and 12-2 in MIAA play. Western has won 15 of its last 17 games heading into this weeks action.

The Griffons will be on the road this weekend for two MIAA doubleheaders. On Friday, April 6 the Griffons will be in Pittsburg, Kan. taking on the Pittsburg State Gorillas (21-16, 8-0 MIAA). First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm from the PSU softball stadium. On Saturday, April 7 the Griffons will be in Joplin, Mo. taking on the Missouri Southern Lions (12-23, 4-4 MIAA). Game time is set for 1:00 pm at Lea Kungle & Gene Wild softball fields.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Rain forced the cancellation of the final round of the Central Oklahoma Invitational Tuesday. The Griffons fired a total of 650 (328-322) finishing in 17th place.

Monday’s two rounds counted as the final results for the scheduled 54-hole tournament, with St. Edward’s winning the 17-team event with a 587 total, followed by Oklahoma Christian (589) and Central Oklahoma (595).

Baer Aneshansley of Central Oklahoma fired rounds of 69-72 Monday sharing the individual lead at three-under-par 141 with Colorado State-Pueblo’s Scott Wyers, but Aneshansley earned the victory in a scorecard playoff.

Tyler Gast was the Griffons highest finisher tying for 51st place with a 158 (77-81).

Western will be in action next on Monday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 10 participating in the Washburn Tournament in Topeka, Kan. The event will be played at the Topeka Country Club.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western head women’s soccer coach Chad Edwards has announced 2012 summer camp dates. There will be two camps with a day camp going from June 25 – June 28 and a team camp starting on June 28 and going through July 1.

Day Camps
June 25 – 28: 9 am – 12 pm
The Missouri Western State University Soccer Camp provides boys and girls, ages 6-13, the opportunity to receive four full days of high level soccer instruction in a fun, rewarding environment.

The most important coaching objective is to combine fun with quality teaching. Camp will focus on development of the player’s technical ability. Topics covered will include dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting. On-field coaches will help develop a better understanding of tactical play through small-sided games.

Fun activities will also be included as the part of the daily routine.

All levels of players will be challenged to improve their play. Each camper will be evaluated and placed with similar age and ability.

The camp cost is $80 and registration is due one week prior to camp dates. For more information please contact head coach Chad Edwards at 816-271-5902 or email cedwards16@missouriwestern.edu

Team Camps
June 28 – July 1
High School Team Camps are designed to allow the player and coaches to train in a demanding, college type environment with the focus on growing individually and as a team. Every team will train with a college coach assigned to them during the day and play games each evening.

*Individual players are encouraged to sign up as well and will be placed on a team the first day of camp.

A College Search Forum will be conducted that allows players to have a better understanding of recruiting, the demands of being a student athlete, and the difference between various levels of play. Peer talks between current Missouri Western players and campers will be held to answer any questions campus may have.

GOALKEEPER TRAINING – ALL SESSIONS
Goalkeeper training will be an important feature and emphasis of our camps. Keepers will train separately from field players and then be involved in small-sided full field games each day. Our goal keeping staff will cover the technical, tactical, physical, and mental aspects of the position.

The camp cost is $250 for commuter and $300 for resident. The camp runs from 8 am – 9 pm each day with lunch and dinner provided. Registration is due one week prior to camp dates. For more information please contact head coach Chad Edwards at 816-271-5902 or email cedwards16@missouriwestern.edu

ALL CAMPS INCLUDE:
Camp T-shirt – Top-level instruction
Scrimmages – Skill Building Drills
Excellent Facilities – Water Bottle

Chad is entering his 2nd season as Head Coach of the Missouri Western Griffons after serving as the assistant at Avila University for 3 years.

Chad has 4 years of collegiate playing experience at the Division II level and is a member of the State of Missouri ODP coaching staff. He holds both USSF and NSCAA coaching licenses/ diplomas and currently coaches for the KC Legends Soccer Club.

Other staff will include both current and former Griffons players along with college coaches throughout the Midwest.

— MWSU Sports Information —