St. Joseph, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Lions softball team dropped a doubleheader at Missouri Western this afternoon falling 8-1 in game one and 11-2 in five innings in game two.

Southern (10-24, 2-8 MIAA) was only able to muster three hits as Alana Hester, Alexah Replogle and Brooke Swadley each collected hits. After a scoreless first two innings, the Griffons (22-14, 7-7) got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the third on a single down the left field line. The Lions responded in the top of the fourth with a single run as pinch-runner Jessica Castoe scored a run on a throwing error by Western's third baseman to tie the game at one.

Western responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to regain a 3-1 lead before tacking on five runs in the fifth inning to gain an 8-1 advantage as they won that final. Shelby Mitchell pitched the first four innings of the game as she took the loss giving up seven hits, five earned runs and one strikeout.

The Lions jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in game one as they scored a pair of runs in the second inning as Dawn Grass and Shelby Romines drew walks to lead off the inning as Replogle singled up the middle to load the bases. Dru Coleman followed with a fielder's choice as she moved to second on a throwing error by the second baseman as Grass and Romines scored runs.

Southern's lead did not last for long as MWSU scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-2 lead. The Griffons added five runs on three hits in the third to go up 11-2. The Lions were unable to plate a run in the fourth or fifth as they fell in five innings. Sarah Williams got the start as she pitched the first three innings as she allowed five earned runs .

Southern's doubleheader with Rogers State (Okla.) scheduled for Tuesday has been moved to April 22 at 4 p.m. The Lions will return to action on Wednesday at home facing Lindenwood (11-14, 5-5) at 2 p.m. at Lea Kungle Field.