Missouri Western State University Athletics

The Missouri Western softball team had a historic 2016 season. They became the undisputed MIAA Champions for the first time in program history after they secured both the MIAA Regular Season and the MIAA Tournament Championships. Under the leadership of MWSU Hall of Famer Jen Bagley Trotter, the Griffons finished with an impressive 45-13 overall record and a 23-3 MIAA record, claiming the most conference wins by any school in MIAA history at that time. Powered by a team ERA of 2.58 with 238 strikeouts and a batting average of .314 with 53 home runs, MWSU outscored their opponents 334-181
 
The Griffons opened conference play 7-1 and ended the regular season with a dominant 14-1 stretch in April. Western claimed the MIAA Tournament title with a perfect 4-0 record, which included a 1-0 nine-inning thriller against Pittsburg State. They went on to the NCAA Division II Central Regional in Magnolia, Arkansas, ranked No. 11 in the country. Coach Trotter was named MIAA Coach of the Year, and nine players, including Co-Defensive Player of the Year Katie Klosterman, were named All-MIAA. Additionally, Klosterman and Morgan Rathmann were named D2CAA All-Region players.