Tournament
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Joplin, Mo. -- Megan Roark hit a grand slam in
a 4-1 win over Missouri Western today at the 2010 Teri Mathis
Zenner Memorial Classic, but the Lions fell 4-0 to Oklahoma City
and 7-0 to Midwestern State.
Southern (4-13) hung tough with Oklahoma City in the day's first
game and took a 1-1 tie into the seventh when OCU scored three runs
in the top of the inning to take control. Southern picked up its
lone run in the fifth on an RBI single From Natalie Nelson that
scored Krista Bomak.
Kelli Bax started the game and looked strong, going four innings
and allowing one unearned run, while scattering six hits for the
no-decision. Tiffany Bennett Pitched in relief for the Lions. Dawn
Grass, Breanna Volkmann and Nelson picked up the Lions' three hits.
In game two, Southern exploded for four runs in the third off
the bat of Roark and behind a three-hit performance from Whitney
Clute, dominated the Griffons.
Nelson reached on an error to start the inning and was moved to
second on a sacrifice bunt from Bax. Both Jessica Brooks and Grass
walked, before Nelson was out at home on a fielder's choice,
setting up Roark's at-bat. The junior worked a 3-1 count before
depositing the next pitch over the scoreboard in right center.
Clute threw 80 pitches in the game, striking out one, while
allowing just one unearned run and three hits.
In the day's finale, Midwestern State jumped on Lions' pitching
and scored five runs in the first two innings to secure the win.
The Mustangs added two more runs in the seventh, as pitcher Krista
Gutierrez scattered seven hits in shutting out the Lions.
Grass had two hits for Southern, while Bax, Brooks, Clute,
Volkmann and Nelson all had a hit each. Bennett started for
Southern and went one and a third, while Bax threw 4.2 in relief
and Kayce Moore threw the final inning.
The Lions will conclude the tournament tomorrow with a game
against Northwest Missouri at 5 pm and Northeastern State at 7
pm.
