Griffon Sports

New Coach Edmisson leads Griffon women to winning season       

As first-year women’s basketball head coach Rob Edmisson approached the 2012-13 season, he had two simple goals in mind for his team: 1) Have a chance to win every game; and 2) For the seniors to win more than they lost. Mission accomplished on both fronts – the Griffons more than doubled their win total from a year ago finishing with a ____ overall record.

The team got off to a fast start as in their first two games, knocking off Division I University of Missouri-Kansas City on the road and the very next night defeating Metro State in the fieldhouse, a team that was ranked No. 7 in the country in the preseason poll. Other highlight victories during the season included a Jan. 12 home victory over rival Northwest Missouri State and two victories over defending NCAA South Central Regional Champion Pittsburg State, one being in the first round of the MIAA Basketball Championship.

Individually, senior forward Heather Howard, who transferred from Oklahoma State, led the team averaging almost a double-double per game with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and was named Second Team All-MIAA. Senior Alicia Bell also had a solid campaign averaging eight points and five rebounds and was named Honorable Mention All-MIAA.

Men’s Basketball closes out Coach Smith’s final season  

Griffon men’s basketball endured another year of near misses and close calls in 2012-13.  With eight single-digit losses, including two in overtime, the Griffons closed out the season in the first round of the MIAA Basketball Championship, falling on the road against Northwest Missouri State in Tom Smith’s final game of his career. Highlight victories included a 72-60 win over Northwest in the fieldhouse on Jan.12 and a Feb. 6 road win against 17th ranked Washburn.

The Griffons had two players named Honorable Mention All-MIAA: junior forward Cedric Clinkscales and junior guard Adarius Fulton.

Record-breaking seasons for baseball and softball  

Coming off a second best all-time mark of 34 wins in 2012, the baseballteam had high expectations entering the 2013 season. The team was picked to finish second out of 15 MIAA teams by league coaches. At press time, its record was 27-5 and the team was ranked first in the MIAA.

Snow wiped out the Griffons’ first seven home games, which caused the team to do

some major schedule shuffling and to live life out on the road. But that didn’t seem to deter their hitting.

Five players in the lineup are currently hitting over .400: outfielder Bubba Dotson, infielder Grant Fink, infielder Kyle Simpson, infielder Michael Schulze, and infielder Jimmy Smelcer. Michael holds the MIAA lead at .479. In fact, out of 13 offensive categories in the conference, Missouri Western leads in 11, including team batting average and runs scored per game.

Pitcher Brandon Simmons broke the 38-year-old school record for career wins and, at press time, was one win away from breaking the MIAA record. Brandon broke the record held by Nick Finn ’75.

The team, coached by Buzz Verduzco, is gearing up for the MIAA Baseball Championship May 9-12 at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

Griffon softball was picked to finish third out of 15 teams in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, and through their opening three tournaments (including six games in Hawaii in mid-February), the Griffon record stood at 11-5. At press time, the team’s record was 26-10.

Offensively the Griffs crushed the ball, hitting over .300 as a team. Senior third baseman Sarah Elliott was off to blistering start at the plate, hitting .511 with 23 hits in 16 games.  Infielder Michelle Stevenson also got off to a solid start, hitting .389 with 10 home runs in early season play.

In the pitching circle, the Griffons have one of the best in the country in junior Jackie Bishop.  Jackie broke the school record in pitching wins (62) and career strike-outs (612) this season.

Coach Jen Bagley earned her 400^thcareer win March 29 at Missouri Southern.

The MIAA Post Season Softball Championship is May 2- 5 in Overland Park, Kan.

Support Griffon Athletics – Join the Gold Coat Victory Fund 

The Gold Coat Victory Fund helps provide funding to keep our programs among the most competitive in NCAA Division II.

• Access to season tickets to Griffon sports
• Preferred parking opportunities
• Access to improved club areas at football and basketball
• Football sideline passes
• Fitness center access
• Social invites
• Much more!

Join online at gogriffons.com or contact David Lau at 816-271-5926 or lau@missouriwestern.edu.

Sport shorts: Golf regional, golf classic and football 

Griffon Athletics will once again host another NCAA Championship. The 2013 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Regional will be held May 5 – 7 at St. Joseph Country Club. Nine teams and four individuals will vie for spots in the NCAA National Championship being held this year in Daytona Beach, Fla. It’s the third time Missouri Western has hosted a golf regional, but the first time on the women’s side.

The 11th Annual Missouri Western Celebrity Golf Classic will be heldJune 23 at St. Joseph Country Club. This annual favorite benefits the YWCA shelter for abused and homeless women and children, and Missouri Western Athletics. The Hy-Vee Charity Social will be held the night before at the Culver Farm. For more information, contact David Lau at 816-271-5926, e-mail at lau@missouriwestern.edu, or log on to gogriffons.com.

Spratt Memorial Stadium is the place for football this fall as the Griffons have their eyes set on the NCAA Division II National Championship. Coming off a 2012 season in which the Griffons went 12-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs, you’ll want to secure your seat for all six great home games. Come early and tailgate and enjoy all of the excitement of Griffon football on campus this fall! Gogriffons.com contains all you need to know for the 2013 football schedule or tickets.