St.  Joseph, Mo. - Southern Softball (4-16, 1-3 MIAA) split a pair of games on the opening day of the MWSU Apple Market Classic as they defeated Concordia-St. Paul 2-1 before falling to Wayne State College 7-0.

Game One

The Lions came out strong in game one as they struck first by scoring in the home half of the opening inning. Alana Hester led of for Southern with a single right back at the pitcher and then stole second to put the pressure on Concordia-St. Paul. Kathryn Goins-Osburn ripped a two out single to left to score Hester for her eighth RBI of the season and an early lead for the Lions.

In the second inning the Lions would add another run as Brooke Swadley drew a one out walk and scored on the next at bat as Sarah Williams doubled to deep right center to bring in her fourth RBI of the season. The Lions would have chances to extend their lead as they left six runners on base for the game but the two runs was enough.

The Golden Bears would get one run back in the top of the seventh as they scored on a single just inside the left field line.

Ashley Lutz (3-7) would get the start and go the distance for the win as she gave up just the one run, unearned, on three hits with three strike outs.

Game Two

In the second game of the day Wayne State got the early jump on the Lions as they scored off a single that hit third base and landed in shallow left field. Southern went until the third with out a base runner before Williams drew a one out walk. Williams went to second on the sacrifice bunt by Lindsey Gorham before getting stranded at second. 

WSC would make the Lions pay for leaving runners on as they scored five runs in the fourth, four earned, on five hits and two Missouri Southern errors. That chased the Lions' starter, Kali' Hodson (0-8) as she went three plus innings allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits. Shelby Mitchell came in relief and pitched three innings allowing two WSC runs, both earned, on four hits.

On The Day

Goins-Osburn led the Lions hitting attack on the day going 2-for-6 (.333) with one RBI, Williams added the other RBI with Hester and Swadley scoring the two Lions' runs. Wililams also had the only extra base hit for the Lions with the double.

Lutz shined in the circle as she held Concordia-St. Paul hitters to just a .120 average with a 0.00 ERA in her complete game win.

Up Next

The Lions will play two more games tomorrow in the MWSU Apple Market Classic as they battle Minnesota State-Mankato at 2pm and Washburn at 4pm. Live Stats for both games can be found at mssulions.com.