Live Stats vs. Central Missouri | Live Stats vs. Southwest Baptist | Missouri Western Stats | MIAA Standings

ST. JOSEPH, MO. – The Griffons opened up conference play with a bang earning sweeps of Northeastern St. and #12 Central Oklahoma. Missouri Western will face two more MIAA foes this weekend as they take on Central Missouri on Friday and Southwest Baptist on Saturday.

Previewing Missouri Western
The Griffons are currently 14-6 overall and 4-0 in the MIAA after the first weekend of play. The Griffons have now won five straight games including two wins over #12 Central Oklahoma. Missouri Western has an away record of 1-1 on the season.

Offensively, the Griffons have scored at least eight runs in their last three games, winning two games by run ruling the opponent. Morgan Rathmann continues to be a threat at the plate and on the bases. She is hitting .380 with 27 hits and has nine stolen bases this season. Freshman Taylor Hamilton leads the team with 18 RBI and has drawn 13 walks this season. Katie Klosterman has four home runs this season and leads the team with a .667 slugging percent. Seven Griffons have produced at least 17 or more hits this season.

On the mound, Shyanne Saladino and Janie Smith have been effective for the Griffons. Janie Smith has an 8-3 overall record while pitching 79.1 innings and striking out 56 batters. She has a 2.82 ERA and has 10 complete games this season. Saladino is currently 6-3 with seven complete games. She has a MIAA leading ERA at 1.57 and has allowed just 14 earned runs to opponents this season.

Previewing Central Missouri
Central Missouri is off to an 11-10 overall record and has a 3-1 conference record.  The Jennies have won three of their last four game including a pair of wins last weekend over Nebraska-Kearney. The Jennies are just 1-1 this season at home.

Lauren Mabe is hitting .350 on the season including 21 hits and nine RBI's. The power of the lineup comes from Ali Jo Rogers and Allie Dishinger as they each have a team-high three home runs this year. Rogers is effective on the base paths as well, stealing 21-24 bases. Emily Robinson owns a 6-3 record this season on the mound. She has pitched 66 innings this year and has a 2.02 ERA. Jordan Johnson has a 4-2 overall record, pitching 53.2 innings and allowing 19 earned runs.

Previewing Southwest Baptist
Southwest Baptist owns a 10-12 overall record and 3-1 conference record. They have won five of their last six games which includes sweeps of Nebraska-Kearney and Drury University. The Bearcats have a home record of 2-4 this season.

Rachel Ray and Dana Graves lead the way offensively, each hitting over .340 on the year and combining for 41 hits total. Kori Hillenburg and Catlin Evans lead the team in runs scored with 11 and 10, respectively. Kacey Ayers and Hunter Middleton are the leading pitchers for SBU. Ayers has a 2.21 ERA and a 7-6 overall record. She has pitched 88.2 innings this season and has struck out 59 batters. Middleton owns a 3-6 record and has pitched four complete games.