Pittsburg, Kan. – The Missouri Southern Lions (13-24, 4-4 MIAA) salvaged a split Wednesday night at Pittsburg State after dropping game one 9-1 in five innings, the Lions came back to grab an 8-6 win in the night cap.
Game One
Senior Brooke Hurley provided the lone offensive highlight in game one with a solo home run, her fourth on the season, in the top of the fifth inning.
Sophomore Arlisa Arwood got the start for the Lions and faced six batters giving up four runs, all earned, on six hits to suffer the loss. Junior Hannah Cooke came in relief and pitched 2 2/3 innings giving up three runs, all earned, on four hits and sophomore Chasity Henson finished the final 1 1/3 innings allowing two runs, both earned, on two hits.
Game Two
The nightcap saw Pittsburg State get out to an early 1-0 lead in the home half of the first inning and the Lions kept the game close until the fourth inning when Southern would strike for four runs in the visitor half. Sophomore Brooklyn Farrell reached base on a successful bunt and advanced to second on a ground out by senior Breanna Volkmann. Seniors Brianna Fulkerson reached on a fielding error by the Pittsburg State shortstop and Lydia Niemegeers singled through the left side of the infield to load the bases. Hurley would step into the batter's box and launch a grand slam over the center field fence to open the Lions scoring.
Southern would add two more in the fourth inning as senior Kiley Siebenaler, pinch running for sophomore Haley Pypes, and sophomore Chloe Brown scored on a single by Volkmann to stretch the Lions lead to 6-1.
Pittsburg State would mount a comeback and plate three runs in the bottom of the sixth before Southern would add two more in the top of the seventh as Niemegeers scored on a single by sophomore Shelby Romines and then scored on a single by Brown.
The Gorillas would attempt another rally adding two runs in the bottom of the seventh before a fielder's choice would end the rally as the Lions snapped their nine game losing skid.
Sophomore Haley Pypes got the start for the Lions and the win going five innings allowing four runs, all earned, on five hits with eight strikeouts. Junior Kayce Moore would record the save going two innings allowing two runs, both earned, on four hits with two strikeouts.
On the Day
Volkmann was the offensive star as she went 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs and Hurley finished 2-for-7 with 5 RBIs.
Next Up
The Lions will host Emporia State on Friday afternoon at Lea Kungle Field at the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex with game time set for 1pm. The Lions will honor their six seniors and the 1992 NCAA D-II National Championship team on Saturday as they host Missouri Western with the first pitch scheduled for 1pm as well.
