Kansas City, Kan. -- The Missouri Southern Lions stayed alive in the MIAA Postseason Tournament by knocking off the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats 10-3 Friday morning (May 7) at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.  The Lions' next opponent is yet to be determined but they will play tomorrow afternoon (May 8) at 3 p.m.

The Lions fell behind early as Brandon Kirsch homered in the bottom of the first for a  1-0 Bearcat advantage.

Southern fought back with a pair of runs in the second as Shayne Hoke singled to lead off the inning and CJ Matthews doubled with one out.  That was followed by a two-run single by Patrick Deao that put the Lions on top 2-1.

Hoke then extended the lead to two runs with a solo homer in the third inning.

After Kirsch again came through for the Bearcats with an RBI single in the bottom of the third, the Lions (27-25) added an unearned run tally in the fourth and another run in the fifth for a three-run lead.

Taylor led off the fifth with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.

The Bearcats (20-34) scored in the bottom of the fifth on a bases-loaded walk to Trevor Connor to claw within two runs, but the Lions pulled away with a four-run seventh inning.

Michael Zurmehly drove in the first run of the inning by reaching on a fielder's choice before the flood gates opened.  Matthews, Deao and Dane Kolmeyer then came up and hit three consecutive RBI singles that extended the Lions' lead to 9-3.

Zurmehly hit his 13th homer of the season in the ninth inning to round out the scoring for the Lions. 

CJ Maffei came on in relief of starter Carter Lance and pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out four. 

Tyler Jinks held the Bearcats hitless over the final 1 2/3 innings.  Lance lasted four innings and allowed three runs with three strikeouts.

Deao paced the Lions at the plate by going 3-of-5 with three RBI.