TOPEKA, Kan. — While pitching was superb, a three-run first inning in Saturday's 3-0 loss to No. 25 Missouri Southern eventually helped eliminate Griffon Softball from the MIAA Tournament at the Envista Softball Complex.

After 7.1 innings of excellence vs. No. 1 seed and ninth-nationally ranked Rogers State on Wednesday, pitcher Harley Pruetting started in the circle for the first time all tournament long. The No. 2 seed Lions (39-12) struck quickly in the bottom of the first, as Ashlynn Williams drove in Yazmin Vargas with an RBI single up the middle. Kara Amos capped the inning with a two-run home run to left field, putting MSSU out in front even further at 3-0. 

Pitch Sam Pederson relieved Pruetting in the second, sitting down 13-straight Lions after throwing a complete-game shutout on Friday. Pederson struck out one batter and only gave up one hit, keeping the ball on the ground with 13 forced groundouts.

Down to MWSU's last three outs in the seventh, Kaylea Fessler pinch hit for Kennedy Preston, shooting a single to left field to give the Griffons life. However, a flyout, pop out and groundout gave Southern the 3-0 win. Missouri Western ends its time in the MIAA Tournament with an even 2-2 record.

NOTABLES

• As the No. 6 seed, Missouri Western was the lowest remaining seed left in the bracket.
• The Griffons only struck out three times. 
• Mackenzie DeVine, Chloe Armstrong, Jada Collins, Natalee Weber and Fessler all collected a hit for MWSU.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western (37-20) will wait to see if it selected for the NCAA Division II Central Regional. The top-eight teams make it to the big dance, while the Griffs are currently ranked ninth in the Central Region rankings. However, MWSU made it a whole game further than seventh-ranked Washburn did, beating tenth-ranked Emporia State in the process. 

The selection show is Monday at 9 a.m. on NCAA.com.