Edmond, Okla. -- A late burst of runs helped Central Oklahoma salvage a split in the series with the 11th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team today as the Lions fell in the series finale. 

Southern (28-9, 19-5 MIAA) went up early, leading 6-4 after two innings. 

The Lions scored three runs in the first, and Richie Gorski doubled to score Evin Natick to start the rally. Chris Hoffman tripled behind Gorski for the RBI and Axel Johnson doubled home Hoffman. 

UCO (17-20, 12-15 MIAA) scored four runs in their half of the first to briefly go ahead, but a three-run home run from Hoffman in the second would push the Lions back on top, 6-4. 

Johnson added a two-run dinger in the third as Southern went up 8-4, but a home run from the Bronchos in the bottom half of the inning made the score 8-5, Lions after three. 

Jesse Rall doubled home Hoffman in the fourth to give the Lions a 9-5 lead, but the Bronchos scored three runs in the sixth and another three in the seventh to secure the win. 

Hoffman went 2-4 with four RBIs and three runs scored in the game. He had a home run and a triple. Johnson went 2-4 with three RBis a run scored, a double and a homer, while Natick, Gorski, Rall, Jon Davis and Matt Smith had hits each. Natick, Gorski, Davis, Jacob Bryant and Smith scored a run each. 

Matt Harvey started for the Lions and went five innings, striking out five and walking three. Kanon Hoover went an inning and two thirds, striking out four and walking two, but was saddled with the loss and moved to 2-1 on the year. Hoffman threw an inning and a third, striking out one and holding the Bronchos hitless. 

The Lions will have a mid-week double-header at Arkansas-Fort Smith this Tuesday, April 14 at 1 pm, before playing host to Lincoln next weekend in the final MIAA home series of the season.