Kearney, Neb. - The Missouri Southern Lions Softball team (2-14, 1-3 MIAA) split a pair of MIAA games with Nebraska-Kearney (2-15, 2-6 MIAA) Saturday afternoon at Dryden Park.

Game One

Neb.-Kearney struck first as Erin Dwyer sent a solo shot over the left center field fence. UNK would then tack on five in the home half of the fourth before Southern could score. In the fifth, Brooke Swadley doubled to center and then scored on an error by the Lopers' shortstop. UNK would get the run back in the home half as Kaela Samek scored on a double and Southern error. In the seventh the Lions got things started as Lindsey Gorham, pinch hitting for Sydney Blue, singled to center and scored on Alana Hester's triple down the left field line.

Kali' Hodson (0-7) got the start for the Lions as she went three innings allowing five runs, all earned, on four hits with six strike outs. Shelby Mitchell came in relief and went three innings allowing two runs, both earned, on five hits.

Game Two

In game two it was the Lions who struck first as Hester led off the first with a walk then stole second base, her ninth of the season, and scored on a single to second base by Michala Wood. Nebraska-Kearney would get the run back in the half of the second as Cassie Roessing hit a solo shot to left center.

Southern would answer back in the third as Gorham led off with a walk and advanced to second on a ground out by Hester. Abi Corbett would connect for a RBI single to left to score Gorham and give Southern the lead back at 2-1.

The Lions would add two more runs in the fifth as Swadley reached on an UNK error and scored on Hester's RBI single to center. Gorham, who reached base on an infield single, would score on a wild pitch. The Lopers would add one run in the fifth as Samek scored on a single to center to cut the lead to 4-2.

Southern added more insurance runs in the top of the sixth as Dru Coleman reached on a dropped fly ball by the UNK catcher. Swadley singled to left to move Blue, pinch running for Coleman, to second and Gorham walked to load the bases. Following a fielder's choice, Hester would drive in Swadley on a single to right and Corbett would drive in Gorham and Hodson  on a deep single to center to make the score 7-2 Lions.

Nebraska-Kearney would get two back in the bottom of the sixth as they scored on a sacrifice bunt and a passed ball. Southern added one more run in the top of the seventh as Kathryn Goins-Osburn belted her second home run of the season over the right field fence to put the Lions up 8-4.

UNK wasn't done yet as they put runners on second and third with one out and scored one of those two on a ground out to the pitcher. Hodson, who came in for Lutz in the sixth, would get Dwyer to strike out swining to end the game.

Ashley Lutz (2-6) got the start for the Lions as she went five innings allowing four runs, three earned, on ten hits and struck out one. Hodson came in relief pitching two innings allowing just one run, unearned, on one hit with four strike outs.

On The Day

Hester led the offensive attack as she went 4-for-7 (.571) from the dish with a triple, three RBIs, and a run scored. Swadley finished 3-for-6 (.500) with a double and three runs scored. Gorham finished 2-for-2 (1.000) at the plate with four runs scored.

Up Next

Lions Softball will be back in action on Wednesday March 18 as they host Drury in a non-conference doubleheader with first pitch scheduled at 4pm.