ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Missouri Western softball team got back on track in a big way with a doubleheader sweep of Bemidji State Saturday in the opening round of the weather-altered Fairfield Inn and Suites Classic.

The Griffons defeated the Beavers 4-0 in game 1 and 7-5 in 8 innings in game 2. Sydney Rader picked up a pair of wins for Western in the circle, pitching a combined 12 scoreless innings in two games, striking out a total of 22 Beavers in the process. Emma Hoffart went 4-6 in the doubleheader with 2 home runs. 
 

Game 1
MWSU 4, Bemidji  0

Emma Hoffart went 2-3 with two solo home runs in Western's 4-0 shutout victory.
Rader went the distance, allowing just 4 hits in 7 scoreless innings, fanning 12.

Game 2
MWSU 7, Bemidji 5  - Final/8

Rachel Stewart walked it off with a 2-run homer in the 8th to end an extra-inning affair and complete the sweep. Stewart went 3-4 in the game with 2 RBI and Natalee Weber went 3-3 with her first career home run. Rader entered the game in the 4th in relief duties with the Griffons trailing 5-4 and was dominant. The sophomore pitcher allowed just 2 hits in 5 innings, striking out 10 more Beavers in the victory.  

The Griffons have won 4 of 6 and improve to 9-13 overall.  They will host Wisconsin-Parkside on Sunday at 1pm and will follow with a single game against Upper Iowa at 3pm.