Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team got five, one-hit innings from starter Brett Abell and the Lions defeated College of the Ozarks 12-4 today at Joe Becker Stadium.
Southern (3-1) scored a run in the first, but broke it open in the fourth with six runs, followed by two in the fifth, one in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
Dane Kolkmeyer had a two RBI single in the fourth, while Dallas Burke added an RBI single of his own. Tee Helsel started the inning with a double and drove in Burke for an RBI in his second at bat of the inning. CJ Matthews had an RBI double in the fifth, while Ricky Vanderpool added an RBI single, as well.
Ben Millard picked up an RBI the hard way with a hit by pitch in the sixth, while Shayne Hoke added an RBI single in the seventh.
Abell started and went five, allowing just one hit, while striking out six and walking none. Ryan Wheat, Tyler Jinks, Bo Bergen, Grant Conrad and Kyle Coatney pitched in relief for the Lions.
Kolkmeyer had two RBIs and a run scored, while going 2-4 on the day. Helsel, Patrick Deao and Burke added two hits each, while Cullen Baxter scored three times.
The Lions will be back in action this Sunday, Feb. 27 when they take on Augustana at 3:30 pm at Joe Becker Stadium. The game was added to the schedule today as Augustana will take on Nebraska-Omaha before the Lions on Sunday at Joe Becker.
