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JOPLIN, Mo. - Solid pitching performances by Jackie Bishop and Janie Smith helped the 24th ranked Griffons softball team to a pair of victories over the Missouri Southern Lions on Friday evening. The Griffons won game one 5-2 and game two 4-0 improving to 22-8 overall and 6-2 in MIAA play. The Griffons have won 10 straight games with the victories.

The Griffons held the Lions (17-15, 4-6 MIAA) offense in check holding them to a combined five hits on the day that would only score two runs.

Game 1
MWSU 5, MSSU 2
In game one the Griffons rode the bat of Keri Lorbert and the pitching of Bishop to the victory. Lorbert went 3-for-4 with three RBI while Bishop improved to 11-3 on the season. Bishop went all seven innings giving up three hits and two earned runs while striking out 10.

After leaving runners on base in the second and third inning, the Griffons finally got on the board in the fourth. With two outs in the fourth Kendall Sorensen singled to right field and the Maegan Roemmich hit her fourth homer of the season giving MWSU the 2-0 lead.

In the fifth the Griffons got two more runs when Lorbert doubled in Steponovich and and Bre Fleschner giving MWSU the 2-0 lead. The Lions scored two in the bottom of the sixth but another double by Lorbert in the seventh gave the Griffons and insurance run. Bishop shut down the Lions in the seventh getting the 5-2 victory.

Sorenson and Roemmich both had two hits while Lorbert had three RBI and Roemmich had two.

Game 2
MWSU 4, MSSU 0
In game two the Griffons got another outstanding pitching performance. This time Janie Smith pitched outstanding taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. She pitched her first shutout of the season going all seven innings giving up just two hits and improving to 11-3 on the season.

The Griffons got on the board in the second inning when Michelle Stevenson hit a triple to right field and scored on a wild pitch. Roemmich walked and later scored on a wild pitch giving MWSU the 2-0 lead after two.

In the fifth Sarah Elliott led off with a single and Fleschner followed that up with a double. Tiffany Gillaspy then singled to right center scoring Elliott and Fleschner giving the Griffons the 4-0 lead.

That would be all the Griffons would need as they picked up their 10th straight victory.

MWSU had eight hist with Gillaspy getting two while six other Griffons got hits. The Lions fall to 17-15 overall and 4-6 in MIAA play.

The Griffons return to action on Saturday, March 30 with a doubleheader in Pittsburg, Kan. against Pittsburg State. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm.