Emporia, Kan. - Missouri Southern Softball (7-23, 2-6 MIAA) dropped a pair of MIAA games to 11th ranked Emporia State (26-8, 8-2 MIAA) Saturday afternoon at the Trussler Sports Complex.

Game One

Eleventh ranked Emporia State got things started in the bottom of the first as they put together three singles, two stolen bases, and a home run to go along with a Lions error to take the early 4-0 lead. Southern would get one run back as Dru Coleman sent a solo shot, her third of the season, over the left field fence to put the Lions on the board at 4-1.

The Lions defense shut ESU down for the next two innings before the Hornets got things going again in the fourth as they lead off the inning with back-to-back hit by pitch followed by two singles, all with no outs, to push their lead up to 5-1. Shelby Mitchell would come in relief in the fourth and get the first batter she faced to hit into a force out at home before allowing a sacrifice fly to left to make the score 6-1 in favor of Emporia State.

ESU added one more run in the home half of the sixth as they got a one out double to left center then scored on a single to right to make it 7-1. Then a 2 out double down the right field line scored two as the Hornets beat Southern 9-1 in six innings.

Kali' Hodson (0-11) got the start inside the circle and went three innings allowing six runs, three earned, on six hits with three strike outs. Mitchell came in relief and went two and two thirds innings holding eleventh ranked Emporia State to three runs, all earned, on five hits.

Game Two

Game two saw Emporia strike first again as Zordel led off with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, stole third, and scored on a throwing error. The second inning saw ESU tack on three more runs as Zordel had a two RBI single and Goodwin added a RBI single. Back-to-back doubles in the fourth scored two more for the eleventh ranked Hornets to make it 6-0 before the Lions would get on the board.

Myranda Stewart would put the Lions on the board in the fifth as she doubled home Hodson. Hodson would single home Dakoda Owings, who was running for Coleman, in the sixth to make it 6-2. However, Emporia State would get one of those runs back in the home half of the inning as Goodwin scored in a wild pitch.

Stewart got things started in the seventh as she sent a one out solo shot over the left field fence. Brooke Swadley doubled to right center, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on a dropped fly ball by the Hornets.

Ashley Lutz (5-9) got the start and threw a complete game for the Lions as she allowed seven runs, all earned, on eleven hits with two stirke outs.

On The Day

Stewart led the offensive attack for the Lions going 4-for-6 (.667) with a double, a home run, two RBIs, a walk and a run scored. Swadley finished the day 4-for-7 (.571) with a double and a run scored. Both Swadley and Alana Hester have now surpassed 100 hits in their careers in The Green & Gold. Hester is also currently tied for third all time in stolen bases with a career total of 55.

Up Next

The Lions will return to action this week as they host Southwest Baptist on Tuesday for a MIAA double header. First pitch at Lea Kungle Field is scheduled for 3pm.