#24 Missouri Western (28-14, 12-6) at Missouri Southern (11-27, 4-10)
Friday, April 10 - 3 & 5 p.m. - Joplin, Mo. - Live Stats | Live Audio
#24 Missouri Western at Pittsburg State (27-11, 14-2)
Saturday, April 11 - 2 & 4 p.m. - Pittsburg, Kan. - Live Stats ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Western looks to keep pace with four MIAA games this weekend. The Griffons will travel to Missouri Southern on Friday, starting at 3 p.m. and play Pittsburg State on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
PREVIEWING THE GRIFFONSThe 24
th ranked Griffons lost their first two games at home this season against Central Missouri on Tuesday evening. MWSU dropped game one 12-1 and the second game 8-6 to the Jennies
Missouri Western has five players with a batting average of over .300. Senior
Tiffany Gillaspy is hitting .401 in 42 games this season and leads the team with 55 hits. Gillaspy has also added 42 runs and 12 home runs on the year. Earlier this week she was named one of 25 finalists for the Division II National Player of the Year award.
Morgan Rathmann is hitting .346 on the year and leads the team with 24 stolen bases this season.
Janie Smith and
Shyanne Saladino have both been consistent in the circle this season. Smith has won 13 games and pitched 133 innings, allowing 55 earned runs. Saladino has a 15-6 record and has struck out 56 batters and allowed just 12 home runs.
PREVIEWING MISSOURI SOUTHERNThe Lions are coming off a non-conference doubleheader sweep of the Drury Panthers, winning 4-0 and 4-3. MSSU currently holds a record f 11-27 overall and 4-10 in MIAA competition.
Missouri Southern is led by MIchala Wood and Alana Hester offensively, scoring 14 and 16 runs respectively. Hester has swiped 19 bases on the year in 23 total attempts. The Lions have five players with double-digit RBIs this season with Woods and Kathryn Goins leading the way with 16 apiece. Abi Corbett leads the team with a .292 batting average.
On the mound, Ashley Lutz and Kali Hodson have compiled 31 total starts together. Lutz has a 3.24 ERA with nine complete games and striking out 80 total batters. Hodson has tallied 73.2 innings pitched and has allowed a team-low four home runs this season.
PREVIEWING PITTSBURG STATEPittsburg State is 27-11 this season with a 14-2 record in the MIAA. The Gorillas hosted Newman University on Tuesday, winning 5-3 in game one and completing the sweep with a 5-2 win in game two.
Cheslyn Mitchell is hitting .392 and has started all 36 games for PSU. Mitchell has 47 hits, 29 RBIs and has contributed 38 runs. Six other players are averaging at least a .300 batting average to help the Gorillas offense product 244 runs on the season. Pittsburg State has also hit 46 home runs and tallied 220 RBIs as a team.
Emmie Robertson has been the Gorillas ace, sporting an 18-5 record on the mound with 17 complete games. She has a 1.92 ERA and has pitched 142 innings.
