HAYS, Kan. – Missouri Western softball (32-20) was ousted from the MIAA softball tournament, falling to No. 2 seed Pittsburg State, 10-7, in the quarterfinal round at Fleharty Family Field in Hays Thursday evening.

The Griffons trailed 3-0 after the third, but took the lead with six runs scored in the top of the fourth, thanks in large part to a grand slam from Kalee Higdon.

Pitt had an answer, putting up seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to retake the lead.

Missouri Western fought late, scoring a run in the top of the seventh and the Griffs had runners on first and second with the tying run at the plate, but a strikeout ended the rally.

Higdon put up a career-high five RBIs in the loss. She and Taylor Jones each had a pair of hits. Ayva McComas drew a season-high three walks and scored twice.

Sydney Rader (21-10) made the start and went 5.2 innings, striking out seven and walking four. She was tagged with nine earned runs on 13 hits.

Rader ends her storied Griffon career as a four-time all-MIAA pick and ranked top four in program history in career ERA (2.11), career wins (67), appearances (127), shutouts (23), strikeouts (627), starts (104), complete games (69) innings pitched (665.1), batters faced (2841) and opponent batting average (.228).

The Griffons also say goodbye to fellow seniors Mackenzie DeVine, Taylor Jones, Kennedy Preston, Kate Voisin and Bubba Hoelscher.