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Category: Missouri Western

Spring football gets underway for Missouri Western

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The 2012 football season is still more than five months away, but the 2012 Missouri Western football team is ready to play.  Now.

“We’re all eager to hit each other,” joked offensive lineman Brian Chiles.  “We won’t get to do that until Friday.”

The Griffons opened their spring practice sessions Monday at Spratt Stadium without incident.

“Every day one is like getting the ship away from the dock a little bit to see how it floats,” explained head football coach, Jerry Partridge.  “I think the big thing is we got through it injury free, which is something we haven’t done in day one of the last two springs.”

While there are some position battles to be win, the Griffons will be focusing primarily on depth this spring.  They return 18 starters from last year’s 9-3 squad..  Partridge says this year’s team is the most experienced returning team he’s ever had.

“With the expectations that we have for ourselves it’s really just come out and do the process,” he explained.  “We want to get better every single day.”

Expectations are at an all-time high for the Griffons, who are coming off their 2nd straight NCAA playoff appearance and first home playoff game in 2011.  The players understand it and embrace it.

“The more expectations, the better,” said linebacker, Dan Ritter.

Senior wide receiver Tyron Crockom says living up to those expectations this fall begins in the spring.

“Our key word is finish,” Crockom said.  From our highest guy to our lowest guy, we are only as good as our weakest link.”

“Everyone is pushing everyone to be better”.

Partridge says he doesn’t feel the need to put added pressure on his team by pushing the expectations card, but at the same time, he embraces it.

“I think its exciting and I think they do appreciate each other,”  he said.  “And I think there’s a certain togetherness they have.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffon golfers finish fourth at MWSU Invitational

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The Missouri Western women’s golf team fired a two round total of 698 (350-348) finishing in fourth place in the MWSU Invitational at the St. Joseph Country Club. The Griffons finished one stroke behind Concordia-St. Paul (697) for third place. The winner of the event was the University of Central Oklahoma firing a two day total of 641 (317-324).

Natalie Bird was the Griffons top finisher firing a two day total of 170 (83-87) putting her in 11th place. Casi Webb finished tied for 13th with a 172 (89-83) while Kristen Cooley shot a 177 (88-89) tying her for 18th.

The winner of the event was Central Oklahoma’s Chaney Uhles firing a 155 (78-77). Steph Charteris of Northwest finished in second with a 159 (77-82).

The Griffons return to action next Monday when they participate in the Green and Gold Classic. The first round of the classic will be played at Mozingo Lake Golf Course in Maryville, Mo.  on Monday, April 2nd with the second round being played on Tuesday, April 3rd at Fairview Golf Course in St. Joseph, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffon baseball splits final two games with Lincoln Sunday

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The Missouri Western baseball team extended its winning streak to 10 before falling in the series finale against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. The win streak tied the longest win streak since 2005. Western won game one 2-1 behind a complete game from Nik Jurado before falling 10-6 in 10 innings. Western sits at 15-7 overall and 8-4 in MIAA play.

Game 1: MWSU 2, LU 1

A defensive substitution in the top of the seventh preserved a 2-1 victory for the Griffons in game one of the double header and Lincoln. Andrew Pieper gunned out the tying run at the plate with one out in the top of the seventh lifting the Griffons to its 10th consecutive victory.

Despite getting out hit 11 to six by the Blue Tigers the Griffons were able to capitalize on two errors scoring two unearned runs. In the first inning David Chew singled up the middle and scored on throwing error by the Blue Tiger third baseman giving Western the early 1-0 lead.

The Blue Tigers answered in the top of the third getting three hits with Ryan Rohmiller singling up the middle scoring Caleb Kemna. The Griffons got the game winning run in the bottom of the third when Grant Fink doubled and scored on a error by the shortstop.

The rest of the game belonged to Nik Jurado as he improved to 3-0 going all seven innings. He struckout six giving up 11 hits and one earned. Six different Griffons got hits in the game as they left six runners on base.

Rohmiller, Isaac Cater, Kendall Ware and Cody Huff all had two hits for Lincoln. They left six runners on base. John Bisges falls to 0-5 going all six innings. He gave up six hits while striking out two.

Game 2: LU 10, MWSU 6 (10 innings)

The Griffon baseball team looked like they were going to win its 11 game in row taking a 3-1 lead over the Lincoln Blue Tigers after three innings. Unfortunatly the Blue Tigers got the bats going claiming an extra inning 10-6 victory over the Griffons.

Western scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning tying the score at five pushing the contest to extra innings. Nate Ramler hit an RBI single and Grant Fink hit one to the right side scoring Andrew Pieper from third tying the score at five.

In the tenth Western pitchers struggled giving up four hits and walking two, giving Lincoln the 10-5 lead. In the bottom of the tenth Western got a homer from Jake Graham cutting the lead to 10-6. Western put two runners on but a questionable double play ended the game giving Western its first loss in 11 games.

The Griffons had nine hits with Shawn Egge going 2-3 with one RBI. Eight other Griffons had a hit. Chris Allen pitched 3.1 innings giving up four hits and three earned runs. Mason Queen falls to 1-1 giving up an earned run in the tenth.

Lincoln improves 2-21 on the season and 2-13 in MIAA play. They pounded out 15 hits with Andrew St. Pierre and Cody Huff each getting four hits. Gatlin Wiggan pitched seven solid innings giving up two earned runs while striking out four. Chris Pfau improved to 2-5 going two innings in releif.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, March 27 when they take on the Emporia State Hornets in a double header. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm from the MWSU Baseball Field in St. Joseph, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Big innings hurt No. 9 Western as they drop two at Emporia

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The 9th ranked Missouri Western softball team allowed the Emporia State Lady Hornets to score in just three innings but they would be costly as Western fell 5-2 and 5-4 in Emporia on Sunday afternoon. The Griffons 11 game winning streak was snapped as they fall to 25-6 overall and 8-2 in MIAA play.

Game 1: ESU 5, MWSU 2
The Griffons had runners all over the base paths in game one of the double header but were able to score just two runs while leaving ten on base.

The Griffons opened the scoring in the third inning with two outs as Kendall Sorenson and Bre Fleschner hit back to back singles. Sorenson scored on a single by Keri Lorbert giving Western the 1-0 lead.

Emporia answered in the bottom of the third when Tricia Vogel blasted a two out three run homer scoring Taylor Zordel and Jessica Brewer giving the Lady Hornets the 3-1 lead.

The Griffons looked be putting together a big inning in the fourth as the led off with three straight hits which included a double by Kat Steponovich which scored Taylor Anding. Unfortuantly Western would strand the bases loaded for the second straight inning as they went into the bottom of the fourth down 3-2.

In the fifth the Lady Hornets hit another bomb this time by Stephanie Goodwin which gave ESU the 5-2 lead.

The Griffons could not get anything going the rest of the game as they would fall. Jackie Bishop picked up just her second loss of the season going six innings giving up nine hits and five earned runs while striking out five. She falls to 13-2 overall. All nine of the Griffons got a hit in the game.

Four different ESU players had two hits as they left five on base. Karley Schmelzer improves to 8-2 on the year going all seven giving up nine hits while striking out seven.

Game 2: ESU 5, MWSU 4
The Griffons opened up game two with Sorenson singling through the left side and Fleschner reaching on a throwing error by the pitcher. Keri Lorbert then singled on a bunt which scored Kendall Sorenson. That would be all Western would get as they would leave the bases loaded for the third time on the afternoon.

The Griffons went up 2-0 in the third when Blair Stalder singled up the middle which scored Fleschner from second.

Things were going smooth for Annalee Rubio until the fifth inning. In the fifth the Hornets capitalized on two Griffon errors scoring five runs on four hits.

The game remained 5-2 until the seventh when the Griffons made things interesting. Sarah Elliot opened the inning with a double to center field. Fleschner singled up the middle which scored Elliot with one out make in 5-3. Stalder singled through the left side putting runners on first and second then Lorbert walked loading the bases with one out.

Maegan Roemmich singled to left field scoring Fleschner cutting the score to 5-4, but pinch runner Erin Widrig was tossed out on the play giving Western two outs with runners on first and third. The next batter Anding would line out to third base ending the game.

Western had eight hits with Stalder going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Annalee Rubio falls to 10-4 going 4.1 innings giving up seven hits and three earned runs while striking out just one.

Lauren Sharp improves to 5-2 going 6.1 innings giving up seven hits and three earned runs. Karley Schmelzer picks up her second save of the year going 2/3 of an inning. ESU had nine hits with Jessica Gragg going 3-for-3. Tricia Vogel went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Western returns to action on Friday, March 30 with an important MIAA double header with the Fort Hays State Tigers at the MWSU Softball Field. Game time is set for 1:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western golfers in fourth after day one at MWSU Invite

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“Home sweet home” was not so sweet for the Western women’s golf team Sunday.

The Griffons currently sit in 4th place after day 1 of their own MWSU Spring Invitational at the St. Joseph Country Club.  As a team, Western finished with a round one total of 350, 33 strokes behind the leader, Central Oklahoma.

Natalie Bird overcame early struggles to shoot a team-low 83 for Western.  She sits in 8th place individually.  Northwest’s Steph Charteris holds the top spot indivually, with a 77.

Western’s Lauryn Huske Davies, playing as an individual, had the Griffons’ second best score with an 87.

Kristen Cooley and Casi Webb shot 88 and 89 respectively for Western.

Webb summed up her team’s play by describing her own performance on the home course, which didn’t allow the Griffons a home course advantage Sunday.

“We do know the course the best,” Webb explained.  “But we also know how hard this course can be, especially hitting out of the rough, which is what I’ve been doing (Sunday.)”

The MWSU Spring Invitational concludes Monday at the St. Joseph Country Club with a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffons roll to two wins against Lincoln

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The Missouri Western baseball team extended its winning streak to nine games taking the first two games in a four game series against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. The Griffons used 28 hits winning game one 9-1 and game two 21-3. Western improves to 14-6 overall and 7-3 in MIAA play.

Game 1: MWSU 9, LU 1

The Griffon baseball team extended its win streak to eight games scoring runs in five of the six innings which included four in the sixth taking game one 9-1. Brandon Simmons pitched his fourth complete game of the season improving to 5-1 with the victory. He gave up four hits while striking out a season high nine batters.

The Griffons pounded out nine hits in the contest with eight different Griffons getting hits. Michael Schulze went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.

Western scored two runs in the second inning on a two RBI single by Tony Loeffler which scored Kyle Simpson and Spencer Shockley. The Griffons scored one run in the third, fourth and fifth innings before exploding for four in the bottom of the sixth. Western used two Lincoln errors and two hits in the sixth blowing it open 9-0.

Lincoln had four hits with Logan Smith going 2-for-3 with a homer. Lincoln’s Blake Jones picked up the loss falling to 0-5 on the season. He went four innings giving up seven hits and four earned runs while striking out three.

Game 2: MWSU 21, LU 3

The Griffon offense exploded in game two scoring 21 runs and pounding out 19 hits in a 21-3 victory over the Blue Tigers. Western scored 17 runs in the final three innings extending its win streak to nine games.

Spencer Shockley and Jimmy Smelcer both had three hits. Shockley had a triple, home run and a double knocking in four runs and scoring two runs. Smelcer scored two runs and had three RBI. Five other Griffons had at least two hits in the contest.

Ethan Ward improved to 4-1 with the victory. He went 5.1 innnings giving up six hits and striking out five. Logan Hollingsworth went 1.2 innings in relief giving up two hits and striking out two.

Lincoln had eight hits with Chris Pfau and Ryan Rohmiller each collecting two hits. Taylor Klugman falls to 0-4 pitching three innings giving up nine hits and giving up six earned runs.

The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday, March 25 at the Griffon Baseball Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western softball moves up to No. 9 in latest Top 25

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After going 6-0 last week and extending its winning streak to 11 games the Missouri Western softball team moved up to 9th in the latest NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll which was released Wednesday morning. The Griffons are 25-4 overall and 8-0 in MIAA play.

The Griffons are coming off a week where they went 6-0 defeating Wayne State (Neb.) College twice along with defeating Northwest Missouri State and Truman State twice. The week the Griffons take on a tough opponent in MIAA foe Emporia State in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 24 in Emporia, Kan. Game times are set for 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm from Trussler Sports Complex. The Hornets are 16-6 overall and 8-0 in MIAA play. Western has struggled against ESU trailing the overall series 48-25 and 25-9 since 2002. Western is 4-7 at home, 2-8 on the road and 3-10 on a neutral field against Emporia since 2002.

The Griffons have been good on the road this season posting an 8-1 overall record. The Griffons are 4-0 in MIAA play on the road taking doubleheaders from Southwest Baptist and the University of Central Missouri. On the road this season the Griffons are batting .331 as a team with four players hitting over .300. Maegan Roemmich leads the way with 16 hits in 32 at bats and eight runs scored. Blair Stalder is batting .385 while Kat Steponovich and Sarah Elliott are hitting .364 and .304 respectively. On the mound Western has a 1.95 ERA with Jakie Bishop posting a 5-0 record and a 1.41 ERA on the road. Emily Moe has a 0.00 ERA in three innings pitched while Annalee Rubio is 3-1 with a 2.88 ERA.

Overall the Griffons are batting .312 as a team with Roemmich and Breanna Fleschner hitting .404. Tayor Anding is hitting .345 while Keri Lorbert, Steponovich, Leah Steele and Stalder are hitting .312, .310, .306 and .302 respectively. The Griffons have outscored its opponents 154 to 56 and out hit them 249 to 153. The Griffons have stolen 30 of 36 bases and hold a .970 fielding percentage.

The Lady Hornets are batting .305 as a team with Stephanie Goodwin leading the way with a .473 batting average. She has 26 hits and 19 runs scored. Tricia Vogel is batting .389 with 28 hits and seven doubles while Andrea Piezuch is hitting .370 with 17 hits. On the mound Jennifer Heery holds a 2.02 ERA in eight appearances. She is 6-2 on the year. Karley Schmelzer is 7-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 68 strikeouts. They are also 30-for-36 in stolen bases and hold a solid fielding percentage at .965.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Griffon golfer Bird named MIAA Athlete of the Week

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Missouri Western’s Natalie Bird has been named MIAA Women’s Golf Student-Athlete of the Week for play from the beginning of the season through March 20, as selected by a conference SID panel.

Bird finished in second in the RU Early Bird Tournament in Smithville, Mo. The Carl Junction, Mo., product finished just four strokes out of first, firing 21-over par in extremely windy conditions. She was the only Griffon to shoot below 11-over par in each round. Her 82 on the second day was the second-lowest round of the tournament.

Western returns to action this Sunday and Monday when they host the MWSU Spring Invitational at the St. Joseph Country Club.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Western men’s golf team finishes 11th at Midwestern State

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The Missouri Western men’s golf squad fired a 311 helping them finish in a four way tie for 11th place at the Midwestern State Invitational. The Griffons tied with Newman University, Dallas Baptist University and Pittsburg State University. The winner of the event was Arkansas Tech University as they won in a playoff against St. Edwards University. Both schools shot 298.

Western’s Tyler Gast was the highest Griffon finisher tying for 9th place firing a 74 (38-36). Logan Gilliland finished in a tie for 38th with a 78 (37-41) while Kenny Stone, James O’Brien and Scott Sheldon fired 79 (42-37), 80 (39-41) and 86 (43-43) respectively.

The individual winner of the event was St. Edward’s Santiago Quintero with a 71 (34-37).

Cameron University and Midwestern State University tied for 3rd with 300’s while West Texas A&M finished 5th with a 304 and East Central finished 6th with a 306. Rogers State, Arkansas-Fort Smith, Nebraska-Omaha and Northeastern State all tied for 7th with 308’s.

Incarnate Word (312), Henderson State (315), Texas A&M-Commerce (316), St. Mary’s (Texas) (322) and Missouri Southern (328) finished 15th-19th respectively.

The Griffons return to action on April 2-3 when they participate in the Central Oklahoma Invitational. The event will be held at the Gaillardia Country Club in Edmond, Okla.

— MWSU Sports Information —

MWSU volleyballl announces 2012 summer camp dates

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Missouri Western volleyball head coach Cory Frederick and assistant coach Marian Carbin have announced the 2012 Griffon Volleyball Camps. The first camp will go from June 13-15 in Parkville, Mo. with the second camp running from June 18-20 in St. Joseph, Mo.

The first camp will go from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at the Parkville Athletic Complex. The camp is for players from 12 years of age and older. There will be a 6:1 player to coach ratio to maximize individual instruction. The camp will focus on skills and practice ideas that can help players improve after they leave camp. The camp will not only teach skills and techniques, but a love for the sprot that will last a lifetime.

The cost of the camp is $175 per athlete. The camper will receive a camp shirt, daily lunch, three days of full instruction and positional isolation training each day. The camp is limited to the first 48 athletes.

With any questions please contact head coach Cory Frederick at cfrederick@missouriwestern.edu or by cell phone at 816-651-4471.

The second camp is a general and setter camp that will go from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm on the campus of Missouri Western State University at the Looney Complex. The camps are open to players that are 12 and older. There will be a 7:1 player to coach ratio to maximize individual instruction. This is a commuter camp only, which means there is no overnight option. The camp will focus on skills and practice ideas that can help players improve after they leave camp. The setter camp will be based on principles and techniques that are taught at Stanford University’s advanced setter camp and will be limited to the first 10 athletes.

The cost of the camp is $125 with no additional charge for the setter camp. The campers will receive a camp shirt and three full days of instruction. The campers will also get positional isolation training each day and the camp is limited to 56 athletes.

Pleas bring athletic shoes, knee pads, water bottle and ankle braces, if necessary. Campers also need to provide a sack lunch as no lunch will be provided.

With any question please contact Assistant Volleyball Coach Marian Carbin at mcarbin@missouriwestern.edu.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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