Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern
softball team dropped its opening game to Missouri S&T in the
MSSU/Pitt St. Border Battle Friday evening, 15-10. Southern
(1-5) fell behind early and could not overcome six errors as they
lost game one of the round robin tournament.
The Lions and Miners had 23 combined hits and Southern added two
homeruns in the loss. Missouri S&T got on the board early as
they posted an eight run second inning as starting pitcher Whitney
Clute only made it an inning and a third. Clute was charged with
six runs in the inning as the Miners only collected three hits.
Missouri Southern responded with three runs in the bottom half of
the third after Megan Roark, Brianna Volkmann and Clute all
reached, Kelli Bax singled down the right field line to cut the
lead to five. The Lions also took advantage of a Miner error to
keep the inning going as they only committed two on the night.
In the bottom of the fifth head coach Bill Gray used pinch hitter
Brooke Hurley, who came through with a two RBI single making the
score 5-11. After designated player Angie Turner walked freshmen
Dawn Grass blasted a two out homerun to center cutting the Miners
lead to three.
However, Missouri S&T would add a pair of runs in the fifth
and sixth making the score 15-8. Relief pitcher Taylor Keal
finished the final three innings allowing two runs and three hits
while striking out three.
The Lions threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Clute walked
again and was drove in by Roark who hit a no-doubt homerun over the
right field fence. Missouri Southern only managed one more base
runner in the final frame as they lost 10-15.
Kelli Bax pitched three innings of relief for Clute and Kayce
Moore. Bax allowed four runs and five hits as she recorded the only
Lion strike out on the evening.
Ashley Wallingford picked up the win for Missouri S&T going
four innings and allowing eight runs, five of which were
earned.
Missouri Southern resumes play tomorrow as they match up with
Quincy University at noon followed by Rockhurst at 2 p.m. The Lions
will finish out Saturday in the nightcap of day two against fellow
conference member Fort Hays State at 6 p.m.
