ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Beginning a four-game homestand, Griffon Softball prepares to host the Battle of Highway 71 vs, Northwest Missouri State on Friday at the Springs Sports Complex.

WHERE TO WATCH
Fans looking to watch to Missouri Western Softball (22-8, 4-4 MIAA) can tune into the MIAA Network for all four games this weekend. Click on the "MIAA Network" tab above to sign in and purchase a subscription if you have not already. 

HIP HIP, HAWKINS
Now that senior second baseman Sydni Hawkins is Missouri Western's new all-time hits and doubles leader (270, 59), the former All-American will be recognized during Friday's pregame. A ceremony will be held 10 minutes prior to first pitch to officially enshrine Hawkins and her all-time achievements. Hawkins broke the career hits record last Friday with an infield single at Rogers State, later breaking the doubles record in her first at bat the following Saturday at Northeastern State.

MACK ATTACK + HIGDON HOMERS
Sophomore outfielder Mackenzie DeVine made quite the splash at Northeastern, hitting 3-for-8 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. With that homer, DeVine leads the team with eight dingers this season. Freshman infielder Kalee Higdon is hot on her heels, however, blasting two home runs and ripping home five RBI in last weekend's road trip to Oklahoma. 

SCOUTING NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE - APRIL 14, 11 AM/1 PM
The Bearcats (22-20, 5-11 MIAA) come to St. Joe with five losses in their last seven games. Those two wins occurred in their most recent outing, sweeping Truman State in a doubleheader on April 12 in Maryville, Missouri. Before that, Northwest lost five-straight games against the likes of No. 15 Washburn, Northeastern State and No. 8 Rogers State. Northwest's road woes are apparent this season, as the Bearcats are just 2-10 when visiting opposing ballparks.

Who to Watch
Senior infielder Olivia Daughtery is a force for Northwest, leading her team with a.416 batting average, 53 hits, 42 RBI and 11 home runs. Sophomore outfielder Lillie Filger can be a problem on the basepaths, swiping a team-high 18 stolen bases on 19 attempts. Freshman pitcher. Jadyn Streigle is Northwest's source of strength when it comes to the circle, as she is 10-7 with a tean-high 10.71 innings thrown and a 3.52 ERA.

ON THIS DAY IN GRIFFON SOFTBALL HISTORY: APRIL 14
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
While not very long ago, these two teams tangoed in a pair of thrillers on this day in 2021 with the Griffons winning both games at the Spring Sports Complex. Up 8-3 going into the seventh inning in game one, MWSU gave up five runs to Northwest to eventually bring on extra innings. Then a sophomore, Daughtery hit a go-ahead solo shot to left field in the eighth to give Northwest a 9-8 lead. After a Hawkins leadoff single, Brea Blanton tripled to right-center field to knot things up at 9-9, eventually scoring the walk-off run after an error by pitcher Kaitlyn Weis.

After notching a 10-9 win in game one, MWSU didn't need dramatics in game two thanks to a solid start by pitcher Kaili Hinds, who threw all seven innings while only yielding three earned runs. Emma Hoffart, Taylor Hoelscher, Rian Gere and Si Culver all recorded an RBI in the 4-3 win, earning MWSU's then sixth-straight victory over the Bearcats.