Hays, Kan. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team exacted a bit of revenge today as the Lions swept a double-header at Fort Hays State, winning 13-5 in the opener and 14-4 in the nightcap.
Southern (24-25, 20-23 MIAA) is now just a game behind sixth-place Washburn for the final spot in the 2011 MIAA Baseball Tournament next weekend in Kansas City. If the Lions win their game tomorrow and Washburn loses both of their games, Southern would claim that last spot in the Tournament.
The Lions picked up superb pitching performances today from both Brett Abell and Tyler Jinks. Abell went all seven in game one, scattering seven hits and allowing just three earned runs, while striking out four. Jinks went four and two thirds in game two, striking out three and alowing four runs.
In game one, the Lions scored seven runs in the first three innings, but led just 7-5 after three. Southern, however, broke out and scored six in the sixth to put the game away. Dane Kolkmeyer went 3-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Jesse Kinzey had two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored. Cullen Baxter was 2-2 with a pair of RBIs, while Patrick Deao scored twice.
In game two, the Lions trailed 3-1 after three innings, but broke out for 13 runs over the final four innings to take the game.
Harrison Gerber went 2-5 with four RBIs and a run scored, while CJ Matthews and Jim Gilkerson both drove in three and scored twice. Gilkerson had three hits, while Matthews had two. Baxter was 2-4 with an RBI and three runs scored.
Southern will finish off its regular season tomorrow with a game to decide whether or not the have a chance to make the MIAA Tournament. The Lions and Tigers will square off with first pitch slated for noon.
