Spring 2017 Sports Wrap

It was an unprecedented spring for Griffon Athletics; four of five competing teams were represented in NCAA Division II postseason play: baseball, softball, women’s golf and men’s golf. Overall, 23 spring sports student athletes were named All-MIAA with four all-region selections, two CoSIDA Academic All-District selections and one CoSIDA Academic All-America selection. ​​

Softball

The softball team under Coach Jen Trotter made a program-record fourth straight trip to the NCAA Central Region tournament and wrapped up its season with a 38-20 record.

Morgan Rathmann was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America second team. It was the first all-American honor for Rathmann, who left the program as its all-time leader in hits (68), runs (43), stolen bases (23) and triples (11). She also broke the MIAA career triples record this past season and was a four-time All-MIAA selection. Rathmann was named first team All-MIAA as a junior and senior.

Baseball
When the spring issue of the Missouri Western Magazine went to press, it reported a 15-15 record for Coach Buzz Verduzco’s baseball team spring season. But the Griffons pulled off a mid-season rally and finished second in the MIAA regular-season standings and qualified for their second straight NCAA Central Region tournament. The team finished the season 32-22.

Seniors Nick Gawley and David Glaude were named 2017 ABCA/Rawlings second-team All-Region. Gawley led Missouri Western on the season with a .364 batting average, 79 hits, 46 runs scored, 39 stolen bases and 18 doubles. His 39 stolen bases were a single-season record, third best in Division II and sixth in all NCAA divisions. He also ranked second on the team with 36 RBIs and 21 walks.

Glaude earned his second straight ABCA/Rawlings All-Region honor as he led the team with 114 total bases, 47 RBIs, 29 walks and eight home runs. He was second to Gawley with a .340 batting average, 73 hits, 44 runs scored and 13 doubles. Glaude also broke school career records for home runs, RBIs, doubles and walks this season.

Women’s Golf

Women’s golf also made its second straight NCAA regional appearance with freshman Chong Yong qualifying for the NCAA National Championships as an individual. She clinched her spot in a sudden death playoff. Yong finished nationals tied for 58^th with a four-round total of 327. She was selected as All-MIAA second team, finishing in the top 10 in four of her six tournaments. Greg Dillon is the women’s golf coach.

Men’s Golf

For the first time in the history of the men’s golf program, a freshman qualified for NCAA postseason regional play – Patrick McCarthy. He shot a season-best 3-under-par 69 in his final round of the Super Regional. McCarthy finished the tournament with a 213, another season best for him. Men’s golf is coached by Greg Dillon.

 

 

 

Tennis
Although women’s tennis finished the season 5-17 overall, the team had a strong finish, winning 8-1 against Nebraska Wesleyan University. The team is coached by Shawn Becker.