THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON SOFTBALL
Alvy Early Memorial Classic Hosted by Arkansas-Monticello in Bentonville, Arkansas
Saturday, Feb. 15, 10:00 a.m. vs. Southwest Baptist
Saturday, Feb. 15, 12:00 p.m. vs. Harding
Sunday, Feb.16, 2 p.m. vs. Quincy
Sunday, Feb.16, 2 p.m. vs. Quincy, 4 p.m. vs. Arkansas-Monticello
 
ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Softball opens 2020 play in Bentonville, Arkansas this week as the Griffons will compete in the Alvy Early Memorial Classic hosted by the University of Arkansas-Monticello. The Griffons will play two games on Saturday and two games on Sunday.
 
2020's version of Griffon Softball features many new faces, but similar expectations in previous seasons. Missouri Western was selected second in the MIAA preseason poll, receiving 152 total points with one first place vote, trailing only defending MIAA champion Central Oklahoma.
 
In 2019, the Griffons finished 38-18 overall with a 21-5 mark in MIAA play. Last season culminated with a second place in the MIAA regular season standings with a runner-up placement in the conference tournament to UCO, along with a trip to the NCAA Division II Regional Championships where the Griffons finished 1-2.
 
NOTABLES:
 

• MWSU returns 11 athletes from last year's team with nine newcomers after losing eight from last year's roster.
• Brea Blanton returns for her sophomore season after being named first-team All-MIAA as a designated player last season.
• Pitcher Kaili Hinds and second baseman Sydni Hawkins also return to the squad after being named second team All-MIAA in 2019. Honorable Mention third baseman Emma Hoffart also returns to the lineup this season.
• Southwest Baptist finished 2019 with an 8-47 record. Two of those losses came from Missouri Western in St. Joseph 0-8, 4-5.
• Harding University finished last season with a 35-23 record, including one loss to the Griffons 5-12.
• Quincy University had a 25-23 record in 2019 going 11-15 in GLVC play.
• Arkansas-Monticello finished 2019 25-27 with 18-26 in GAC play.

 
Griffon Softball's time in Bentonville will be the start of three tournaments at the start of the season: the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, the Emporia State Classic hosted by ESU and the Missouri Southern Tournament in Joplin.