St. Joseph, Mo. -- The 29th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team scored in every inning but two and the Lions took the series with a 20-16 win at No. 30 Missouri Western today. 

Southern (22-5, 13-3 MIAA) scored early and often as the Lions picked up four runs in the second and three in the third en route to 15 runs in the first five innings. 

Western (18-12, 12-8 MIAA), however, didn't let up as the Griffons seemed to have an answer each time the Lions went up big. Western scored one in the third and one in the fourth and broke out for five in the fifth. 

Leading 15-7 after five, the Lions added another run in the top of the seventh, before Western answered with five in the bottom half of the inning. 

Southern added four runs over the final two innings and despite the Griffons scoring four of their own, Western couldn't catch the Lions. 

Tee Helsel led the offensive effort for the Lions, going 2-3 with six RBIs and two runs scored. Helsel had a home run and a double as the Lions had five doubles in the game. Jon Davis added a home run of his own as he went 2-7 with four RBIs and three runs scored. 

Chad Shannon went 2-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs, while Richie Gorski had three hits and a pair of RBIs and runs scored. Jesse Rall went 3-6 with a pair of runs and RBIs, while Jacob Bryant went 2-2 with three runs scored and four walks. 

Matt Harvey started and went six innings, striking out five and walking none to earn the win and move his record to 2-2 on the season. 

Southern will have a mid-week non-conference game at Emporia State on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch from the Trusler Sports Complex is slated for 4 pm.