Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Lions Softball (17-16, 2-4 MIAA) split a pair with the Fort Hays State Tigers today at Lea Kungle Field in Joplin.  The Lions won the first game 2-1 in nine innings but their comeback fell short in the night cap falling 9-5 to the visiting Tigers.

Game One

Southern got an outstanding pitching performance from junior Nicole Reed (13-4) as she went the distance allowing only one run, unearned, on six hits and striking out 11.  Those 11 now move Reed into a tie for seventh on the single season leaders list in strikeouts.

The Lions found themselves down 1-0 after the top of the second and managed to push a run across in the bottom of the sixth on a double by junior Breanna Volkmann that scored junior Brianna Fulkerson.  Fulkerson was running for freshman Shelby Romines after Romines connected for a double to left field.  Southern then would use a walk off double by junior Alysha Poteat that scored senior Megan Roark in the bottom of the ninth with two outs.

Game Two

The Lions come back bid in the night cap fell short as the Tigers held on for the 9-5 win.  Sophomore Dawn Grass finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate while scoring two runs and three RBIs.  Fulkerson added another two hits for Southern and junior Natalie Nelson came up with two RBIs.

Senior Tiffany Bennett (3-9) started in the circle for the Lions and gave up three runs on five hits.  Sophomore Kayce Moore pitched one inning of relief giving up two runs on four hits.  Freshman Shelby Romines also pitched one inning of relief giving up four runs on three hits and freshman Chasity Henson pitched three shut out innings of relief allowing only two hits.

The Lions will play Saturday afternoon at 2pm at they take on the Lady Blues of Washburn University in a MIAA double header.