Overland Park, Kan. - The Missouri Southern Softball team (32-22, 14-8 MIAA) saw their best season since 2002 come to an end in the MIAA Post-Season Tournament with a 4-0 loss to No. 15-ranked Emporia State Hornets.
The Lions just managed three hits against Emporia State. Juniors Breanna Volkmann, Brooke Hurley, and Lydia Niemegeers collected the hits, all singles.
Junior Nicole Reed (25-7) allowed the four runs, just two earned, while striking out four. Reed finishes the season with 225 strike outs, a new single season record, and is 38 away from fourth place in career strikeouts. That current place is held by Hailey Stanley, a Webb City native, with 263 strikeouts from 1999-2002.
Overall, Southern saw a 20+ winning pitcher for the first time since 2002, Hailey Stanley, as Reed went 25-7. The 2011 campaign also saw the first 30+ win season for the Lions since 2002, that edition led by Ron Faubion finished 34-6, and the best conference finish since winning the conference with a 17-1 mark in 2001.
With 18 possible returners, eight starters, next season the Lions are looking to improve on the 2011 campaign.
