Abilene, Texas – In a weather shorted Whitten Inn Classic the Missouri Southern Lions (0-3) dropped their final game to the host Abilene Christian University Wildcats (6-1), 8-3, Saturday afternoon.

ACU got on the board first scoring four runs in the second and third innings before the Lions would plate their first run of the day off a bases loaded single by senior Lydia Niemegeers that scored fellow senior Brianna Fulkerson in the fourth inning.

Southern would strike again in the top half of the fifth as freshman Brooke Smith, running for sophomore Chloe Brown, scored on a double down the left field line by Fulkerson and senior Breanna Volkmann scored on a ground ball by fellow senior Alysha Poteat.

Niemegeers led the way offensively for the Lions as she finished 2-for-3 at the plate while Fulkerson went 2-of-4 at the dish.  Fulkerson, Poteat, and Niemegeers had all three RBIs for Southern.

Junior Kayce Moore (0-1) started in the circle for Southern going 2 and 2/3 innings allowing four runs on four hits.  Junior Hannah Cooke came in relief for the Lions pitching one inning allowing three runs on four hits and sophomore Haley Pypes pitched two and a third innings allowing just one run on four hits while striking out two.

The Lions will be back in action next week as they travel to Wichita Falls, Texas for the Midwestern State University Holiday Inn Classic, Friday February 17 thru Sunday February 19.  The full schedule for Southern and live stats links can be found at www.mssulions.com.