Jared Bell’s walk off single in the bottom of the ninth inning in game two of the doubleheader helped the Griffons complete the four game MIAA sweep over the Washburn Ichabods. Western won game one 5-2 behind a complete game from Brandon Simmons and picked up the final victory 5-4. The Griffons improve to 19-9 overall and 12-6 in MIAA play.

Game 1: MWSU 5, WU 2
Five unanswared runs by the Griffons helped them come away with a 5-2 victory in game three of the series over the Washburn Ichabods.

The Ichabods got eight hits and left three runners on in the first three innings off Griffon right hander Simmons. Simmons gave up two runs on four hits in the second inning as Washburn took an early 2-0 lead.

The Griffons responded nicely in their half of the second getting three hits which led to three Griffon runs. Spencer Shockley opened the inning getting hit by a pitch before two singles by David Chew and Bubba Dotson loaded the bases with no one out. Shockley scored on a sacrafice fly by Tony Loeffler and Western tied the score at two on a sacrafice bunt by Shawn Egge. Loeffler later gave Western the lead at 3-2 when he scored on a hit by Michael Schulze.

Simmons settled down the rest of the game pitching his fifth complete game of the season improving to 6-2. He had three strikeouts and gave up 10 hits.

In the fourth Western got two insurance runs as Bubba Dotson tripled and scored on a Schulze’s third hit of the game. Loeffler scored the Griffons fifth run on a Jimmy Smelcer single to shortstop.

Schulze led the Griffons going 3-for-4 with one RBI while David Chew and Dotson both went 2-for-3.

The Ichabods were led by Jon Calhoun going 3-for-4 win an RBI. Tyler Bean suffered his first loss of the season going all six innings giving up five earned runs and eight hits while striking out three. Bean falls to 3-1 on the year.

Game 2: MWSU 5, WU 4
Bell’s walk off single in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Dotson from second giving Western teh 5-4 victory. The Griffons improve to 17-4 at home.

The Griffons got on the board in the first using a hit and a Washburn error scoring three runs. Western scored two runs on a throwing error by Ichabod pitcher Mark Biesma. The Griffons scored the third run on a sacrafice fly by Nate Ramler which scored Grant Fink.

Western went up 4-0 in the third capitalizing on another Ichabod error. Fink reached on an error by the center fielder and scored on a David Chew single.

The Ichabods battled back scoring two in the sixth off a Brad Alberts homer to left field. They scored two more in the seventh on four hits before Matt Bergin came in the game getting the final out of the inning.

Bergin shutdown the Ichabods the rest of the game picking up his second victory of the season going 2.1 innings giving up two hits and striking out one. Oliver Kady had an outstanding start going six innings giving up six hits and one earned run with four strikeouts.

The Ichabods fall to 13-12 overall and 9-9 in MIAA play. Washburn had 12 hits with Alberts going 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Boone Plager, Blake Hageman and Connor Crimmins all had two hits. Trent Speaker got the loss going six innings giving up three hits and one earned run.

Western returns to action on Friday, April 6 when they hit the road for the first time since the opening MIAA series of the year. They will be in Maryville, Mo. taking on the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team saved its best for last in a doubleheader sweep over Washburn, scoring game winning runs in the bottom of the sixth in game one and the bottom of the ninth in game two. The Griffons improved to 17-9 overall and 10-6 in MIAA play; leap frogging the Ichabods (13-10, 9-7) in the conference standings.

Game 1: MWSU 3, WU 2 (7 innings)

Grant Fink drilled a one-out triple to left center field, then scored what proved to be the winning run when Spencer Shockley reached on an error by Washburn second baseman John Calhoun.

Leading 1-0, Nik Jurado surrendered a two-run home run to Connor Crimmins in third. The Griffons knotted it up at two in the bottom of the third on an RBI single to center from Fink. Jurado (4-0) held the Ichabods scoreless for the next three innings before Jake Jones entered in the seventh to pick up his third save of the season.

Fink was 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored, Michael Schulze was 1-3 with a run scored. Shockely (1-3) and David Chew (1-3) drove in the other two Griffon runs.

Washburn left five runners stranded and the Griffons left four of their own. Jurado allowed six hits and two runs, while striking out seven in six innings of work. Brett Ash went six complete for Washburn, allowing six hits and three runs, while striking out five.

Game 2: MWSU 3, WU 2

Same score, almost same story for in game two. Western rallied, down 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth, winning on Jimmy Smelcer’s walk of double to deep center.

Nate Ramler sent a two RBI double down the left field line that tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. Then it was up to Smelcer, who drove the game winning hit over Tyler Bailey’s glove in center field, scoring Shawn Egge from second. Ramler’s double spoiled a great pitching performance from Kerry Schachenmeyer who held the Griffons to just two hits through the first eight innings.

Grant Fink walked with one out in the bottom of the ninth before Spencer Shockely shot a single through the left side that advanced Fink to second. Jake Graham entered to pinch run for Shockely and made it around the bases on Ramler’s double. Buzz Verduzco sent Egge in to run for Ramler, but Egge’s speed wasn’t needed to score the winning run with Smelcer’s drive rolling to the base of the fence in deep center.

The Ichabods got to Ethan Ward early, who lasted two and a third. The Griffon bullpen was solid, and the Ichabods left 16 runners on base. Chris Allen went the final two and two thirds for the Griffons, picking up his first win of the year.

Smelcer was 2-4 with the winning RBI and Ramler was 1-4 with two RBI.

The Griffons wrap up their 17 game home stand tomorrow when they host Washburn for another doubleheader beginnin at noon.
— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team ran its home record to 11-1 with an MIAA doubleheader sweep over the Washburn Lady Blues on Saturday afternoon. The Griffons won game one 8-0 in six innings and took the second game 9-7. Kat Steponovich went 4-for-6 with five RBI and two runs scored in the two games. Western improves to 29-6 overall and 12-2 in MIAA action.

Game 1: MWSU 8, WU 0 (6 innings)
The Griffons scored runs in four straight innings including a five run fifth putting the game out of reach as Missouri Western ended it early winning 8-0 in six innings. Jackie Bishop pitched her 16th complete game and fifth shutout improving her record to 15-2. She gave up two hits while striking out six and leaving three on base.

Missouri Western got the scoring started in the third inning when Breanna Fleschner double to center field leading off the inning. Blair Stalder got one of her three hits two batters later and Keri Lorbert hit a sacrifice fly scoring Fleschner giving Western the 1-0 lead.

The Griffons scored again in the fourth as Taylor Anding hit the Griffons third double to lead off the fourth. She would move over on a Steele groundout and score on an error by the Washburn third baseman giving Western the 2-0 lead after four.

In the fifth Western exploded for five runs as Michelle Stevenson led off with a pinch hit single and advanced to third on Stalder’s third hit of the game. Stevenson scored the first run on a wild pitch and Stalder scored on a single to right center from Maegan Roemmich.

With two outs in the inning Western got three straight hits which included doubles by Steponovich and Sarah Elliot plating three more Griffons giving Western the 7-0 lead after five. In the sixth the Griffons used a pinch hit from Tiffany Gillaspy and an error from the Washburn left fielder helping them end the game.

For the 12th time this season the Griffons pounded out 10 or more hits finishing the game with 14. Stalder went 3-for-3 with one run scored while Steele and Steponovich both had two hits. Ten different Griffons got hits in the game.

The Lady Blues got two hits with Brittany Cushing and Kristen Bell each getting one. Lindsey Moore falls to 5-6 going five innings. She gave up 12 hits and six earned runs while striking out two.

Game 2: MWSU 9, WU 7
Game two of the doubleheader was a little more intersting than the first as the Griffons came away with an 9-7 victory thanks to a six run third inning. The Griffons scored two runs in the second inning capitalizing on three Lady Blue errors and one hit which came off the bat of Steponovich.

The Lady Blues responded in the top of the third with three hits and two runs tying the score at two after two and a half. In the third Western exploded for six runs and four hits with Kendall Sorenson clearing the bases with a double giving Western the 8-2 lead after three.

Everything looked good until the Washburn bats came alive in the fourth. The Lady Blues got four hits which included a grand slam from Lindsey Moore and a solo shot from Alex Zordel cutting the Griffon lead to 8-7.

Griffon releiver Emily Moe came in to get the final two outs of the innings and the final nine outs of the game earning the victory. She improves to 3-0 overall giving up just two hits in 3.2 innings of work.

Western tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Erin Widrig scored on an error by the Lady Blue shortstop.

Western pounded out eight hits in the game with Sorenson, Anding and Steponovich all getting two. Steponovich and Sorenson both had three RBI.

The Lady Blues fall to 13-17 overall and 5-7 in MIAA play. They had nine hits with Britny Cushing, Shelby Erickson and Kacy Covert all getting two hits. Kayla Oldham falls to 6-9 going six innings giving up eight hits and three earned runs with one strikeout.

The Griffons return to MIAA play on Friday, April 6 when they travel to Pittsburg, Kan. to take on the Pittsburg State Gorillas in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

For the second time this season the Missouri Western tennis team picked up a victory over the Lincoln Blue Tigers. This time they won 7-2 and picked up its first MIAA victory on Saturday (Mar. 31).

It was the second meeting of the season between the two conference foes, as the Griffons and the Blue Tigers originally met in the Missouri Western Tennis Car City Invite earlier this year. The Griffons also won that match, which did not count in the MIAA standings, 7-2.

The Griffons got victories from Ceara Boldridge, Kayla Dysart, Erin Ward and Katie Field in singles competition and won all three doubles matches. Boldridge defeated Alina Katrevich 6-1, 6-1 while Dysart and Field won their matches 6-0, 6-0. Ward picked up the 6-1, 6-3 victory over Jasmine Daniel.

In doubles Dysart and Boldridge beat Camila Araujo and Kratrevich 8-4 while Nicole Kerr and Field beat Kamaria Brave and Daniel 8-0. Jenkins and Ward wrapped up doubles with an 8-0 victory over Gabrielle Quinn and Victoria Banks.

Missouri Western picked up its first MIAA win of the year, improving to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA. Lincoln is now 0-7 on the season and 0-4 in MIAA competition.

The Griffons return to action on Thursday, April 5 when they host MIAA opponent Fort Hays State at 3:30 pm in St. Joseph, Mo.

Missouri Western 7, Lincoln University 2

Singles Competition
1. Araujo,Camila (LU) def. Kerr,Nicole (MWSU) 2-6, 6-2, 12-10
2. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) def. Katrevich,Alina (LU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) def. Brave,Kamaria (LU) 6-0, 6-0
4. Ward,Erin (MWSU) def. Daniel,Jasmine (LU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Quinn,Gabrielle (LU) def. Jenkins,Alecia (MWSU) 6-7, 6-3, 10-3
6. Field,Katie (MWSU) def. Banks,Victoria (LU) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles Competition
1. Boldridge,Ceara/Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) def. Araujo,Camila/Katrevich,Alina (LU) 8-4
2. Kerr,Nicole/Field,Katie (MWSU) def. Braye,Kamaria/Daniel,Jasmine (LU) 8-0
3. Ward,Erin/Jenkins,Alecia (MWSU) def. Quinn,Gabrielle/Banks,Victoria (LU) 8-0

— MWSU Sports Information —

The 21st ranked Griffons softball team got back on track picking up a doubleheader sweep over the Fort Hays State Tigers in MIAA action. Western won game one 3-1 coming from behind and jumped on the Tigers in game two run ruling Fort Hays State 8-0 in six innings. The Griffons improve to 27-6 overall and 10-2 in the MIAA.

Game 1: MWSU 3, FHSU 1
A three run sixth inning helped the Griffons earn its 26th victory of the season and ninth in the MIAA. Western got a sacrafice fly from Blair Stalder scoring pinch runner Kim Robinson tying the score at one. Keri Lorbert came up next blasting a two run double to right field giving Western the 3-1 come from behind victory.

Jackie Bishop pitched her 15th complete game improving to 14-2 on the season. This is the second consecutive season she started 14-2. She struckout 12 batters in the contest which marks her ninth game with 10 or more strikeouts but first since March 6 against Quincy. She walked four giving up just one hit.

The Tigers scored its lone run in the fourth inning when Callie Wright led off with a triple and then scored on an error by Griffon catcher Kat Steponovich. Bishop stranded Tigers in the inning and four overall.

Maddie Holub picked up the loss going six innings giving up three runs and three hits while striking out five for the Tigers.

Game 2: MWSU 8, FHSU 0 (6 innings)
In game two the Griffons jumped all over Tiger pitcher Abby Morrison opening up the game with four straight hits which included a lead off triple from Breanna Fleschner and a three run homer by Lorbert over the centerfield wall giving Western the 4-0 lead. The homerun was Lorbert’s fourth of the season. Western tacked on one more in the inning taking a 5-0 lead after one.

Annalee Rubio dominated the Tigers the rest of the way giving up just two hits while striking out six in her 10th complete game and fifth shutout of the season. She improves to 11-4 with the victory.

Western was able to end the game early scoring one in the fifth and two in the sixth putting the run rule in effect. Maegan Roemmich hit a single to right center scoring Kendall Sorenson in the fifth and then in the seventh Fleschner doubled scoring Leah Steele and Stalder hit one to shortstop which scored Sarah Elliot ending the game.

The Tigers fall to 20-10 on the season and 7-3 in MIAA play. Morrison falls to 2-3 while Katitly Shattleroe pitched 5.1 innings giving up five hits nad four earned runs in releif.

Fleschner had two of the Griffons nine hits as eight of the Griffons nine batters got a hit.

The Griffons return to action tomorrow taking on the Washburn Lady Blues in an MIAA doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm from the MWSU Softball Field.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team managed to plate just three runs over two games against No. 28 Emporia State. The Hornets scored two runs in the top of the seventh to win game one 3-2 and spread timely hits out in game two, winning 5-1.

Game 1: ESU 3, MWSU 2

Missouri Western gave up two unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning losing a heartbreaker 3-2 against the Emporia State Hornets. Western got a strong outing from junior Oliver Kadey going five innings giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out three in his first start of the season. Brandon Simmons picked up his second loss of the season falling to 5-2 going 1.1 innings giving up one hit and two runs.

The Griffons jumped on Hornet pitcher Matt Robertson in the first inning getting three hits and two runs. Spencer Shockley singled in David Chew and Nate Ramler giving Western the early 2-0 lead. Kadey gave up a run in the third but stranded two Hornets in the fifth before exiting the game.

In the sixth Jake Jones and Simmons stranded two more Hornets as third baseman Grant Fink made an outstanding play ending the inning. In the seventh the Griffons looked like they were going to take the victory but a walk, hit and a Griffon error tied the game at two. ESU then got a sac fly by Eric Dawson which scored Joe Kornbrust from third givig ESU the 3-2 lead.

In the seventh Brandon Faulkner shut down the Griffons earning his first save of the season. Robertson picked up the win improving to 4-1 giving up six hits and two earned runs while striking out four. ESU had eight hits with Dawson and Joe Vaskus both getting two hits.

Western got six hits, one from six different players while leaving two runnners on base.

Game 2: ESU 5, MWSU 1

The Griffons answered the Hornets’ one run in the first inning with a run of their own, but couldn’t manage another run in a 5-1 loss.

Emporia ran Western starter Mason Queen’s count up and forced him from the game after two innings. The Hornets scored on in the first on Queen, an unearned run on Zack Carlson’s RBI single. Emporia added a second run in the third when Joe Vaskas drove in Joe Kornbrust with a double down the left field line.

Bergin surrendered three Hornet runs in the fifth. Bergin went seven innings, allowing seven hits and three runs; two of them earned. Queen (1-2) picked up the loss going two innings; allowing two hits and two runs.

Michael Schulze had a nice game at the plate, finishing 2-5 and scoring the Griffons’ lone run. Grant Fink was 2-3 with an RBI in the second game.

The Griffons wrap up a 14-game homestand this weekend when they host Washburn. The series with the Ichabods begins on Saturday, March 31 with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. The two will wrap up the series on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.

— MWSU Sports Information —