Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball squad (11-7) swept visiting Upper Iowa University, 3-1 and 8-7, today at Lea Kungle Field in Joplin.
Game One
Junior Nicole Reed (6-2) went the distance in the first game going seven innings allowing just one run on two peacock hits, she walked none while striking out eight.
Junior Lydia Niemegeers led the Lions offense as she went 2-for-3 at the plate in the first game, as the Lions collected eight hits. Juniors Brianna Fulkerson and Breanna Volkmann and sophomore Jessica Brooks recorded the three Southern runs.
Game Two
Senior Tiffany Bennett got the start for the Lions allowing seven runs in five and a third innings before junior Nicole Reed (7-2) came in relief to record the win.
Upper Iowa came out swinging in the first inning recording three runs on four hits. Southern answered in the bottom of the first scoring three of their own runs on three hits as sophomore Jessica Brooks singled through the left side to score junior Breanna Volkmann. The next batter in junior Natalie Nelson doubled to left field to score both Brooks and Nicole Reed.
Senior Lauren Hasty hit her first homerun of the season in the bottom of the second to give the Lions a 4-3 lead. After a bunt single by freshman Madison Reed and a walk to junior Brianna Fulkerson and Volkmann line out to right field, Nicole Reed singled to short right field to score Madison Reed.
The Lions would expand their lead to four (7-3) in the bottom of the fourth as senior Megan Roark singled to rightfield to score Fulkerson and Nelson singled to right to score Volkmann.
Southern's final run came in the bottom of the sixth, after the Peacocks scored four in the top half to tie the game at 7-7. Volkmann led off the inning with a triple to deep right center and scored on a single by Roark.
The Lions will be back in action next weekend as they travel to Springfield, Mo. for the first of two MIAA Crossovers. This one is hosted by Southwest Baptist University and game times are posted at www.mssulions.com.
