Maryville, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team picked up a pair of come-from-behind wins today as the Lions defeated Northwest Missouri 4-2 and 4-3 in MIAA action. 

The Lions (18-11, 14-9 MIAA) win their seventh game in a row and tenth in the last eleven games. 

Both starters for the the Lions went the distance as Brett Abell threw all nine innings in game one and Ryan Bates went all seven in game two. 

Abell struck out eight and allowed just two runs in the opener, as the game was tied at two after four innings.

Neither team scored until the Lions plated two runs in the top of the ninth. Michael McCoy got on by a hit by pitch and advanced to third on a wild pitch and passed ball. Dallas Burke walked and stole second, putting runners at second and third for Tee Helsel. He singled to center scoring both runners and Abell sent the Bearcats down in order in the bottom of the inning. 

McCoy went 3-4 with a run scored in the game, while Helsel drove in two, while Zack Steadman and Dane Kolkmeyer drove in the other two runs. 

Northwest (9-20, 7-17 MIAA) went on top with a pair of runs in the first and a single run in the second of game two. 

Bates settled down and held the Bearcats scoreless for the final five innings. He struck out three and walked none, while allowing just one earned run. 

Helsel started off the seventh by advancing on an error. Will Wagner walked and after an out, Shaun Hoover singled to right field scoring both Helsel and Wagner. Hoover would move to third on an error by the right fielder on the play. Nick Doughty pinch hit and was hit by the pitch, putting runners at the corners. McCoy grounded out to the shortstop, scoring Hoover, and Thomas Wilson singled to right center, scoring Keith Freeman, who was running for Doughty. 

Southern managed just three hits on the game, as Wilson, Sam Ryan and Hoover all picked up singles. Hoover drove in two, while McCoy and Wilson had an RBI each. 

The Lions and Bearcats will finish up the series tomorrow with a single, nine-inning game at noon.