SHAWNEE, Kan. – Griffon Softball (13-2) opened play at the Top Gun Events Midwest College Classic at the Mid-America Sports Complex on Thursday, defeating Quincy in eight innings, 8-5.

After four scoreless innings, MWSU broke through in the fifth when Kenedee Giddens singled to left field, driving in Kalee Higdon to give the Griffons a 1-0 lead. Quincy answered in the bottom half with a two-run homer to take a 2-1 advantage.

The Griffons responded in the sixth as Ashlyn Finarty launched a three-run home run to center field, scoring Ayva McComas and Sydney Young to give MWSU a 4-2 lead.

Young added an RBI single in the seventh to plate Giddens and extend the lead to 5-2. Quincy rallied in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs to tie the game at 5-5 heading into the eighth.

MWSU answered immediately in the top of the eighth. Rachel Cain delivered a two-run double to left field, scoring Amiya Hernandez and Brooklynn Clark. Higdon followed with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Morgan Byrd to push the advantage to 8-5.

In the circle, Torie Sandoval started and tossed 4.0 innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out three. Harley Pruetting (5-0) earned the win in relief, throwing 4.0 innings and surrendering five hits and three runs with three strikeouts. Pruetting closed the door in the final frame to secure the victory.

What's Next

Griffon Softball continues play at the Midwest College Classic on Friday with a pair of games, beginning at 10 a.m. against Winona State and followed by a 12:15 p.m. matchup with Minnesota State Moorhead in Shawnee, Kansas.