MARYVILLE, Mo. – Griffon Softball (16-19, 7-3) outscored Northwest Missouri 8-1 in a doubleheader split at its rival Tuesday afternoon.
 
Missouri Western made quick work of the Bearcats in game one with an 8-0, 5-inning victory for the team's ninth win in 10 tries. The Griffons left two runners on base in the seventh inning of a game two pitcher's duel that went the Bearcats' way, 1-0.
 
The rivals entered Tuesday's doubleheader as part of a three-way tie for second place in the MIAA standings and left as the only two teams with 7-3 MIAA records, tied for third.
 
NOTABLES

• Lonnie Groves and Gabi Carter both doubled and homered in game one with Carter driving in three runs
• The Griffons stole five bases on five attempts in game one
• Kenzie Hilzer continued a hot streak in the circle, striking out five Bearcats without a walk and pitching her second shutout over her last four starts
• Missouri Western had two hits in game two with Kaili Hinds holding Northwest Missouri to four hits
• Hinds and Hilzer have combined to hold opponents to 22 runs over their last 69 innings on 57 hits. Over the same span (five appearances each) they have struck out 37 and walked 18. The Griffons are 8-2 during that stretch.
• Northwest Missouri's Rachel Smith totaled eight strikeouts in game two

 
UP NEXT
Missouri Western travels to Central Missouri (17-15, 6-2) on Friday, March 29. The Jennies are alone in second place in the MIAA after Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri's split on Tuesday