ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western softball team swept Minnesota Duluth Monday in a doubleheader at the Griffon Spring Sports Complex. They beat the Bulldogs in game one, 10-1, and then shutout UMD in game two, 4-0. Missouri Western improves to 9-1 this season.
GAME 1 – Missouri Western 10, Minnesota Duluth 1
MWSU jumped out to an early lead on UMD in the opener as
Sydni Hawkins scored on a wild pitch in the first inning and then
Sierra Culver drove in two runs in the second. After the Bulldogs answered back in the third with a run, the Griffons scored four unearned runs in the fourth inning capped off by a two-run home run by
Chloe Armstrong.
Missouri Western then got a run-rule victory in the fifth inning on a three-run home run by Hawkins. She finished the game 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Armstrong and Culver added two hits each for the Griffons.
Sydney Rader earned the win in the circle as she went five innings to improve to 4-0. Rader allowed one run on three hits and she struck out three.
GAME 2 – Missouri Western 4, Minnesota Duluth 0
The nightcap was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when Missouri Western's
Taylor Hoelscher hit a two-out RBI single up the middle to score
Brea Blanton. MWSU added to its lead in the fifth inning with three unearned runs after a UMD error. They scored on a double steal, an RBI double by Blanton and an RBI single by
Emma Hoffart.
Kaili Hinds (3-0) started and went four innings. She struck out three, walked four and allowed two hits.
Kelly Uthe earned the save with three shutout innings in relief. She struck out two and walked two.
UP NEXT
Missouri Western will open MIAA play Saturday as they entertain Northwest Missouri State in a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the Griffon Spring Sports Complex.
