ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Griffon Softball matched No. 3 Rogers State stride for stride all day, but the Hillcats came away with Saturday's doubleheader sweep at the Spring Sports Complex. 

GAME 1
Rogers State 2, MWSU 1

With Rogers State on the verge of losing its first MIAA matchup of 2022, A 10-inning complete game from Andrea Morales helped the Hillcats defeat the Griffons 2-1. Missouri Western's (17-18, 7-7 MIAA) Sydney Rader (7-6) also went the distance, tossing 10 innings and striking out eight. However, Morales (19-1) struck out 14 Griffons and didn't walk a single batter. 

The Hillcats scored first in the fourth to go ahead 1-1, but an Emma Hoffart double to right-center field scored Rachel Stewart and knotted the game up. Five scoreless innings later, a one-out RBI single by Elexis Watson brought in the go-ahead run to eventually seal game one.

GAME 2
Rogers State 3, MWSU 1

In a similar low-scoring duel where both pitchers went all seven innings, Rogers State pulled away for a 3-1 victory. The Hillcats gave M'Kayla Hillman a 2-0 lead through four innings, but Sydni Hawkins' RBI single up the middle scored Brea Blanton and cut the deficit in half. Despite a superb start from Natalie Kissinger (7-9), the Hillcats tacked another run on in the seventh and kept the Griffons at bay in the bottom half the frame.

Kissinger struck out three, allowed seven hits and gave up just two earned runs. Hillman struck out seven and gave up just six hits of her own.

NEXT UP 

Missouri Western is set for a another conference battle on Sunday at 12 and 2 p.m. with Northeastern State (20-17, 8-4 MIAA) back at the Spring Sports Complex. The RiverHawks have won their last seven-of-eight games but are 4-7 on the road.