THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON SOFTBALL
Tuesday, March 27, 2:00 p.m. - Doubleheader at
Northwest Missouri State (15-9, 6-2)
Friday, March 30, 3:00 p.m. - Doubleheader at
Central Missouri (17-15, 6-2)
Saturday, March 31, 1:00 p.m. - Doubleheader at
Southwest Baptist (12-17, 2-4)
ST. JOSEPH - After winning eight of its last nine games, Griffon Softball (15-18, 6-2) hits the road for six MIAA games this week.
After a 7-16 start to the season, the Griffons have won eight of their last 10 games, all at home. Before Friday's loss to Central Oklahoma, Missouri Western had won seven-straight. Much of the turnaround has come in the circle where the team has posted a 3.12 ERA over the last 10 games. The team's ERA in its previous 23 games was 7.78. Griffon pitchers have walked 25 batters over the last 10 games (0.3 per inning) after walking 109 (0.8 per inning) prior to the recent run. Opponents were batting .362 against the Griffons through the first 23 games. That average has dropped to .257 in the last 10. More even distribution of offense has also helped. Through the first 23 games, most of the offense came through the top two in the order with
Shelby Uhl and
Shelbie Atwell. In the last 10 games,
Morgan Frost batted .486.
Lonnie Groves batted .355 over the last 10 and
Rebekah Mueller, .344.
Shelby Uhl has been named MIAA Hitter of the Week twice this season, but her .325 average over the last 10 games is fifth best on the team.
Missouri Western's next eight games are all scheduled for the road, with a non-conference doubleheader at Drury next week. First thing's first, though, with six important conference road games this week. Two of the Griffons' opponents this week currently sit tied for second with MWSU in the MIAA standings.
The Griffons will see one of those teams on Tuesday in Maryville, Missouri. The rivals are tied for second with identical MIAA schedules and records. The lone difference so far with common opponents came last weekend with Missouri Western sweeping Northeastern State and splitting with Central Oklahoma. The Bearcats went the other way by sweeping UCO and splitting their doubleheader with Northeastern State.
The other team with a 6-2 MIAA mark, Central Missouri, will be the Griffons' Friday opponent. The Jennies split their MIAA opening series with Southwest Baptist earlier this month, but have sweeps of Missouri Southern and Fort Hays State, since, with a split at Nebraska Kearney last week. UCM had won seven in a row before dropping the first game of the doubleheader at UNK.
Missouri Western finishes out the week with a trip to Southwest Baptist. SBU has played just three MIAA series so far, with splits against Central Missouri and Nebraska Kearney along with being swept by Fort Hays State.
