Softball | 4/30/2015 8:06:44 PM

Overland Park, Kan. – The top two seeds advanced and two lower seeds pulled off upsets in the opening round of the MIAA Softball Tournament.
 
#1 Central Missouri 5, #8 Fort Hays State 3
Top seeded Central Missouri needed three runs in the bottom half of the six to complete at comeback win over eighth seed Fort Hays State.
 
For the Jennies Madison Hood drove in two runs while Carlie Rose drove in one run and scored two finishing with three hits on the afternoon. Katie Shockley earned the win in relief pitching 5.2 hitless innings walking two and striking out four.
 
For the Tigers Rilee Krier was two for four driving in two of the three runs with Samantha Villarreal driving in the other.
 
#2 Pittsburg State 3, #7 Washburn 1
Second seeded Pittsburg State needed just three hits as they advance with a win over seventh seeded Washburn.
 
At the plate for the Gorillas Kylie Guthier, Jordan Bradshaw and Alex Perez each drove in a run. In the circle Emmie Robertson struck out five earning the complete game victory and allowing just five hits.
 
Cassidy Merriman homered to score the lone run for the Ichabods.
 
#5 Northwest Missouri 8, #4 Missouri 1
Fifth seed Northwest Missouri scored in every inning but two as they upset fourth seeded Missouri Western to open the tournament.
 
For the Bearcats Torri Blythe scored two runs and racked up a game high four hits on the afternoon. Rebecca Maher had a three hits driving in a team high three runs while Baylee Scarbrough hit a home runs and scored twice. Kendle Schieber threw a complete game striking out nine and allowing just four hits for her first win of the tournament.

For the Griffons Sydney Washington drove in the lone run which was scored by Morgan Rathmann.  
 
#6 Emporia State 7, #3 Central Oklahoma 4
Sixth seeded Emporia State used a four run fourth inning to take control and earn a victory over third seeded Central Oklahoma.

For the Hornets Kaitlyn Caston went two for three and drove in two runs. Jessica Gragg went two for four with a home runs driving in two runs as Hannah Weingartner and Jacie Stephens also added home runs. In the circle Caston struck out three pitching a complete game to earn her first victory of the tournament.
 
For the Bronchos Ashton Smith was three for three scoring two runs as well as driving in three.
 
For updates news about the MIAA softball tournament go to http://www.themiaa.com/sports/2014/7/8/SB_0708145536.aspx?id=231&