EDMOND, OKLA. – A pair of 15-game pitching winners gave the crowd at University of Central Oklahoma's Gerry Pinkston Stadium something to remember Wednesday, May 1.
 
MWSU senior standout Sydney Rader (Norfolk, Neb.) limited 10^th-seeded Fort Hayes State University to just two runs on eight hits while striking out. FHSU's Savannah Egger was just as stingy, striking out five and surrendering only three hits and one run.
 
The opening day contest in the 2024 MIAA tournament was nip and tuck from the start. Fort Hays State University posted single runs in the first and fifth. With Egger allowing just one hit over the first five Griffons' plate appearances, the advantage looked insurmountable. However, head coach Joe Yegge's crew attempted some comeback moxie that was part of the season.
 
Back-to-back singles from senior outfielder Abby Dickey (Papillion, Neb.) and junior outfielder Taylor Jones (Hallsville, Mo.) got the sixth inning off to a strong start. After a strikeout and wild pitch, sophomore infielder Myah Dwyer (St. Joseph, Mo.) drove in a run with a fielder's choice. With runners on first and second and just one out. Egger managed to avoid further trouble with a fly out and strikeout. MWSU had one more shot in the seventh but a one-two-three frame ended the game with a 2-1 defeat.
 
The loss concluded a memorable 2024 slate at 31-20. It marked the third successive season in which the tradition-rich program has reached 30-or-more triumphs.