Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team swept a double-header today in the opening day of the 2015 season, taking game one 4-3 and game two 6-0 from the visiting Upper Iowa University. 

Southern (2-0) played the first games in the newly built MSSU Baseball Field today and didn't disappoint the over capacity crowd as the Lions won in come-from-behind fashion in game one and dominating fashion in game two. 

In game one, Upper Iowa (0-2) went on top first when Luis Ravelo hit a two-run home run to right field in the third inning to put the Peacocks up 2-0 early on. After another run by UIU in the top of the seventh, the Lions answered back with two unearned runs in the bottom half of the inning. 

With one out, Chad Shannon walked and stole second. Another out came before Tee Helsel singled through the left side, putting runners at the corners. Mitch Osburn reached on a fielder's choice when an error by the shortstop allowed Austin White, who had been running for Helsel, to reach second and continue the inning. Shannon scored on the play. Jackson Cain singled to deep short and White scored on the play. 

The Lions added two more runs in the eighth. Jon Davis singled to start the inning and Chris Hoffman reached on a fielder's choice. Shannon then doubled down the left field line, putting runners at the corners. Richie Gorski singled through the right side, scoring both runners for the game-winning RBIs. 

Tyler Burgess started the game for the Lions and he went seven innings, striking out nine and walking none, while allowing three runs for the no-decision. Nick Pettus threw an inning and two thirds, while Kanon Hoover picked up the save, picking off a runner for the final out of the game. 

Davis, Gorski and Shannon had two hits each with Shannon scoring twice and Gorski driving in two. 

Game two saw an outstanding pitching performance once again as Payton Walker started and went seven shutout innings, striking out eight, and walking none, while scattering six hits. Cody Hutchinson pitched the final two innings for the save. 

The Lions scored a run in the second, but broke open the game with four in the sixth. Southern had RBIs in the inningfrom Hoffman, Gorski, Brett Graham and Jacob Bryant in the inning. The Lions added another run in the eighth on an RBI double from Evin Natick. 

Brett Graham went 2-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in the game. He had a double and a triple. Natick had a pair of hits, while Gorski added two of his own. 

The two games between the Lions and the Peacocks for Sunday, Feb. 15 have been cancelled due to the possible cold temperatures and snow in the forecast. 

Southern will be back in action on Feb. 20 when the Lions open up MIAA play with a four-game series with Pittsburg State. The Lions will play a single game on Friday at one pm. The four games will be part of the State Farm Trophy Series.