ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Griffon Softball (30-17, 9-13 MIAA) scored a sweep over No. 4 Pittsburg State (45-6, 17-5 MIAA) on Tuesday in its home finale, topping the Gorillas 10-8 and 7-3 at the MWSU Spring Sports Complex.
The Griffons, now winners of five straight and six of its last seven games, clinched a spot in the MIAA tournament with the victories. It's the first sweep over a ranked team since 2017 and the first sweep over a top 10 opponent since 2011.
Game 1: MWSU 10 Pitt State 8
Pitt State came out on fire, hitting four home runs in the first four innings, leading 6-0 after the second and 8-5 after the fourth. MoWest, after scoring five runs in the third, took the lead with five more runs in the fifth, taking the lead on a two-run RBI single from
Ashlyn Finarty.
After 3.1 innings of middle relief from
Aubrey Dare,
Harley Pruetting (S 3) pitched the last two innings and held the Gorillas scoreless for a save. Dare and Pruetting both held Pitt State off the board from the fifth inning on.
Dare (4-3) scored the win, striking out two and walking one. Finarty led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4.
Lauren Newlin was 2-for-3 with two runs and a career-best two doubles.
Sienna Reed was 2-for-4 with two runs and a team-best three RBIs. She drove in three runs with a triple in the third.
Game 2: MWSU 7 Pitt State 3
The Griffons jumped on the Gorillas early, thanks to two home runs by
Ashlyn Finarty - a two-run blast to left field in the first inning, and then an opposite field grand slam to right in the second, propelling the Griffs to a 7-0 lead.
MoWest was held to just one hit after the second inning, but the Griffon defense limited Pitt State to just three earned runs on 10 hits. The Gorillas stranded 10 base runners.
Harley Pruetting (13-4) made the start and got the win, going 5.1 innings and striking out three. She walked three and was charged with three runs.
Aubrey Dare came in relief and tossed the last 1.2 innings, retiring five of seven batters faced. She struck out three - all in the seventh inning.
Finarty's grand slam was the first of her career and the six RBI is a new career-high as well.
Sydney Young was 2-for-2 with two runs scored, hitting an RBI double in the first.
Up Next
Griffon Softball concludes the regular season Friday when they go to Northwest Missouri State. Those games are set to start at 2 and 4 p.m.
