Missouri Western senior pitcher Jackie Bishop has been named the MIAA/AstroTurf Pitcher of the Week going 3-0 last weekend which included her 9th shutout of the year and 26th of her career. This marks the 11th time in her career that she has earned this honor. Three times as a freshman, four times as a sophomore and fourth time this season.

Bishop continues to be dominating winning three games last week in MIAA play improving her overall record to 17-6 on the season.

Bishop pitched 19.1 innings with three starts.  Last Friday against Fort Hays State, Bishop pitched 12.1 innings giving up just eight hits with 17 strikeouts.

In game one, she went all seven innings striking out 11 and giving up just three hits.  In game two, she went 5.1 innings giving up five hits with six strikeouts and two earned runs.

Saturday against Nebraska-Kearney she went all seven innings giving up just one hit while striking out 10.

On the week she gave up just nine hits and three earned runs with 27 strikeouts.  Opponents hit just .129 against her. The 5-8 senior pitcher is a native of Kirksville, Mo. where she competed at Kirksville High School.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western golf teams began play at the First Federal Invitational Monday which is being held by Henderson State at Big Creek Golf and Country Club

The Western women fired a first round 352 putting them in 7th at the First Federal Invitational which is being held by Henderson State at Big Creek Golf and Country Club. Anna Kloeppel leads the Griffons with an 83 (+11) putting her in 22nd. The Griffons trail Sioux Falls by eight strokes while the leaderCentral Oklahoma shot a 303 leading Henderson State by nine strokes.

Madison Romjue sits in 23rd place with a 84 (+12) while Amber Chivington, Callie Wilson and Shelby Stone fired 92 (+20), 93 (+21) and 100 (+28) respectively.

Taylor Neidy of Central Oklahoma carded an opening-round 70 (-2) taking a six-stroke first-round lead in the individual standings.

The Missouri Western men fired a first round 314 at the First Federal Invitational which is being held by Henderson State at Big Creek Golf and Country Club. The Griffons sit in 9th place with James O’Brien leading the way with a 76 (+4) putting him in a tie for 22nd. The Griffons trail Murry State CC by two strokes while the leader Arkansas Tech shot a 293 leading Henderson State, Delta State and Harding by seven strokes.

Evan McCarthey sits in 28th place with a 77 (+5) while Derek Hawkins, Scott Sheldon and Tyler Gast fired 80 (+8), 81 (+9) and 87 (+15) respectively. Competing as an individual, Dylan Watts fired an opening round 79 (+7).

Alex Mahlik of Arkansas Tech carded an opening-round 69 (-3) taking a two-stroke first-round lead in the individual standings.

The Griffons will conclude play at the First Federal Bank Invite on Tuesday.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western’s offense proved to be too much for the Lincoln baseball team on Sunday as the Griffons won both games of a double header to sweep the season series. Missouri Western took the first game, 11-1, and shut out Lincoln in the second, 19-0. Both contests lasted seven innings. The Griffons had 36 hits in the two contests with Ryan Degner tallying seven hits and Jake Schrader getting five. The Griffons imrove to 19-14 on the season and 15-11 in MIAA play.

Missouri Western (19-14, 15-11 MIAA) scored five runs in the top of the first in game one, added two in the second and plated four more in the fifth en route to the win. Lincoln used three pitchers in the game, with Joe Jungmeyer starting and tossing two strikeouts. Gus Goodnight came in as the reliever and allowed just one earned run through two frames. Joshua Register was the closer, giving up just one hit and no runs in the final inning.

The Griffons were led by Dylan Koch and Degner with each getting three hits in the contest. Trevor LaHonta and Mitch Thorman each had two while Degner and Schrader each had three RBI. Koch scored three runs while LaHonta and Degner each had two. On the bump Jake Jones improved to 4-2 with in five innings of work. He went five innings allowing three hits with five strikeouts. Defensively Hunter Weiss had five putouts while Cody Childs ha four assists.

Gatlin Wiggans had two of Lincoln’s four hits, with the others coming from Ben Stewart and Zach Roberts. Defensively, LU was led by Kaleb Davis and Wiggans, as each player contributed four putouts. Christian Bunch and Roberts each added three putouts and Nick Lovell, Logan Smith and Stewart were all responsible for two putouts apiece. Stewart and Josh Kennedy tied for the team-lead with two assists.

The second game featured plenty of offensive fireworks by the Griffons, who totaled 22 hits, including six homeruns and five doubles. Missouri Western scored three runs each in the second, third, fourth and six frames, and in the fifth inning put five runs across the board. Lincoln opened the game well, allowing just one run in the first frame after the Griffons loaded the bases, but timely power hitting allowed MWSU to quickly take control of the contest.

Lincoln had two good opportunities to get on the board, starting in the fifth inning. After the first two LU batters grounded out, Roberts hit a single into right field. A throwing error allowed Wiggans to safely reach, continuing the inning, and Stewart followed with a base hit to load the bases. The next batter struck out, however, keeping Lincoln off the board. Later, in the seventh inning, Steve Benton picked up his first hit as a Blue Tiger with a blast into right centerfield that came just short of crossing over the fence. Benton settled for a double, but was unable to score as MWSU ended the game with the shutout win.

In the game two Schrader and Degner each had four hits while Lahonta tallied three. Koch, David Chew, Weiss and Thorman each had two. Degner had five RBI and scored four runs while Schrader had four RBI. Schrader and Degner each hit two home runs in the game. Mark Spreckels picked up the victory in game two for the Griffons going four innings allowing just one hit. He improves to 2-0 with the victory. Tyler Tuepker went two innings with two hits and two strikeouts while Banks Born went one inning allowing just one hit and two strikeouts.

The Blue Tigers’ four hits in the second game were accounted for by Roberts, Stewart, Benton and Kennedy. Davis led the defense with six putouts and Martin Gulley recorded five while Bunch again finished with three. Kennedy had two assists while Lovell tallied one. Starting pitcher John Bisges struck out three batters while Dalton Goings and Register each fanned one. Goodnight also appeared on the mound in the second game.The Tigers fall to 1-27 on the year and 0-24 in MIAA play.

The Griffons return to MIAA play next weekend when they host the Pittsburg State Gorillas in a four game series in St. Joseph. The two teams will play the first game on Friday, April 11 with a single nine inning game starting at 6 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team picked up two important wins behind solid pitching on Saturday afternoon against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. The Griffons won game one 6-3 and held on in game two with a 4-3 victory. Griffon pitching struckout 15 Blue Tigers and gave up just four earned runs. The Griffons improve to 17-14 overall and 13-11 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 6
LU 3
In game one the Griffons got solid pitching from Grant Woods and Tyler Sanders as they combined for the 6-3 victory. Woods went 3.2 innings giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out five while Sanders went 3.1 innings giving up three hits and one earned run with two strikeouts. Sanders picked up the victory improving to 3-2 on the season.

In game one the Griffons got on the board first in the second inning when Jake Schrader doubled to right field and scored on a fielding error by the left fielder off a Hunter Weiss single. The score stayed 1-0 until the bottom of the 3rd when the Blue Tigers used two hits and an error plating one.

The Griffons responded in the 4th with three hits and two runs. David Chew and Schrader led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Chew scored on a single up the middle by Jeremy Monty and Schrader scored on a wild pitch giving the Griffons the 3-1 lead. The Blue Tigers scored one in the 5th but in the seventh a two RBI double by Schrader helped the Griffons to a 6-2 lead going into the bottom of the 7th.

Lincoln got one run on two hits but that would be all for the Tigers falling in the game. LU had eight hits with James Earlywine leading the way going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Ryan Simpson got the loss going four innings giing up five hist and two earned runs with four strikeouts.

Scharder went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored while Trevor LaHonta went 2-for-4 in the contest.

Game 2
MWSU 4
LU 3
In game two the Griffons got a solid outing from Josh Lansangan picking up his first win of the season. He went 6.2 innings giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out a career best eight. Mason Queen got his first save of the season going 1.2 innings giving up one hits and walking two.

Once again the Griffons got on the board first as Schrader blasted his ninth homer of the season giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead. Once again the Blue Tigers responded taking their first lead of the day in teh second on one hit. Kaleb Davis hit an RBI double and then scored later in the inning on a throwing error by Cody Childs giving LU the 2-1 lead after two innings.

The Griffons tied the score at two in the 4th as Ryan Degner singles to right field and stole his ninth base of the season. He then scored on a single by Schrader tying the score.

In the 7th the Griffons regained the lead on back-to-back doubles by Will Carter and Hunter Weiss. The second run of the inning came on a sac fly by Childs giving MWSU the 4-2 lead after seven innings. In the 8th the Blue Tigers got three straight singles plating a run before Davis hit into a inning ending double play.

After getting the first two outs in the 9th Queen gave up a single and two walks before getting a bases loaded groundout by LU ending the game.

The Griffons had seven hits with Degner and Schrader each getting two. The Blue Tigers had nine hits with Zach Roberts and Josh Kennedy each getting two. Nathan Lueckenhoff got the loss going six innings. He gave up six hits and four earned runs falling to 0-6 on the season. LU falls to 1-25 overall and 0-22 in MIAA play.

The two teams will play the final two games of the series tomorrow in Jefferson City, Mo. Game time is set for 12:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western softball team used a 7th inning rally in game two helping them to a walk off doubleheader sweep over the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Saturday afternoon. The Griffons won game one 5-1 behind the pitching of Jackie Bishop before a Sydney Washington single and an error by the UNK center fielder helped Missouri Western win game two 6-5. The Missouri Western softball team now sits 26-14 overall and 11-7 in MIAA play.

Game 1
MWSU 5
UNK 1

The Griffons used a five run third inning earning a 5-1 victory while pounding out 10 hits. Bishop went the complete game giving up one hit and one earned run while striking out 10 and giving up one earned run. She improves to 17-6 with the victory.

The Griffons stranded the bases loaded in the first inning but were able to capitalize on two Loper errors and three hits. Bre Fleschner led off the inning getting hit by a pitch and then Sydney Washington and Tiffany Gillaspy reached on back-to-back errors by the Loper second baseman. Fleschner scored on the second error giving the Griffons the 1-0 lead. Later in the inning Taylor Anding hit a bases clearing double giving the Griffons the 4-0 lead. Katie Klosterman later singled in Anding giving the Griffons the 5-0 lead.

The rest of the game belonged to Bishop as the Lopers did not get a hit until the seventh inning when Kate Ruwe hit a solo homer.

The Griffons were led by Fleschner going 3-for-3 with a run scored while Gillaspy went 2-for-4. Anding went 1-for-2 with three RBI.

Taryn Trosper falls to 2-11 giving up 10 hits and one earned runs with three strikeouts.

Game 2
MWSU 6
UNK 5

The Griffons rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning scoring two runs helping them to a 6-5 walk off victory helping them to their sixth straight victory.

Missouri Western opened up the scoring in the 1st inning getting two hits. Fleschner led off with a walk and scored on a Washington double to right center. Washington scored right after on a Gillaspy single to left field.

In the 3rd the Griffons scored another run when Washing singled to right field and stole two bases including home giving them the 3-0 lead after three.

In the 4th the Lopers scored two runs on one hit cutting the Griffons lead to 3-2 after three and a half innings of play. In their half of the 4th Kat Steponovich blasted her 5th homer of the season giving the Griffons the 4-2 lead after four.

In the 5th the Lopers got another run when Kate Ruwe singled in Mallory Noakes cutting the MWSU lead to 4-3. The Lopers final got the lead in the 6th on three hits. Jen Kramer led off with a single and then Emilee Jonas tripled down the right field line tying the score at four. Taylre Keenan then singled in Jonas giving the UNK the 6-5 lead.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the 7th when Stevenson led off with a single. With one out Fleschner singled to center and then Washington singled to center scoring Stevenson. Fleschner scored on the same play on an error by the center fielder giving the Griffons the win.

Janie Smith got the victory for the Griffons giving up six hits and five earned runs with three strikeouts. She improves to 9-8 with the victory. The Griffons had eight hits with Washington going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.

The Lopers fall 8-22 overall and 6-12 in MIAA play. They had six hits with Keenan and Ruwe each getting two hits. Brittnie Kreiser falls to 4-6 on the season going 6.1 innings giving up five earned runs with two strikeouts.

The Griffons return to action on Tuesday, April 6 with a non-conference doubleheader against the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Game time is set for 3:00 pm in Maryville, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —