ST. JOSEPH – Griffon Softball won its fifth consecutive game with a doubleheader sweep of No. 12 Central Oklahoma on Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse.
Game 1: MWSU 10, #12 Central Oklahoma 2 (6 innings)Missouri Western scored all its runs in the final two innings, rallying for three in the fifth and seven in the sixth to end the game on run-rule.
Kailey Green put Missouri Western up 3-2 after five with a two-run home run to left.
Shelbie Atwell started the long sixth inning with a two-RBI single.
Paige Shifflett and
Taylor Hamilton followed with back-to-back RBI singles. Then Green and
Katie Klosterman hit back-to-back RBI doubles before
Sydney Washington ended the second straight game with a sacrifice fly.
Atwell finished 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Hamilton was 2-3 with two driven in and two runs scored. Green went 2-4 with three driven in and two runs scored and
Megan Korgie went 2-3.
Janie Smith moved to 8-3 on the year, allowing two earned runs on five hits.
Game 2: MWSU 8, #12 Central Oklahoma 7Missouri Western held on to a big, early lead to complete the sweep.
Sydney Washington put MWSU up 4-0 in the second with a grand slam to right field. The Griffons added three more in the inning to go up 7-0.
Missouri Western added another in the third then had to battle through a Central Oklahoma rally. The Bronchos scored five in the fourth and added one more in the seventh.
Shyanne Saladino earned the win, pitching the first four innings. She allowed six earned runs on 10 hits, walked one and did not strike out a batter.
Janie Smith picked up a save, pitching the final three innings, allowing one run on four hits.
Washington went 3-3 with four RBIs and a run scored.
Rebekah Mueller added two hits in her three at bats.
The win improved Missouri Western's record to 14-6 and 4-0 in the MIAA, all alone in first place atop the conference standings.