Bentonville, Ark. - The Missouri Southern Softball Lions (4-4) swept their opening games at the UAM 8 State Classic at Memorial Park in Bentonville, Arkansas Friday afternoon, 7-6 in eight innings over William Jewell and 5-4 over Illinois-Springfield.

Game One
The Lions jumped ahead early when they led off the home half of the first with a lead off walk to senior Alana Hester. Hester stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the William Jewell catcher and scored on an infield single from freshman Ashley Caldarella following another walk to sophomore Abi Corbett. Southern's second run came on a double delayed steal as Caldarella drew a throw down to second allowing Corbett to swipe home. Caldarella advanced to third on a ground out from freshman Angel Badalamenti and scored when junior Sydney Fry reached base on a fielding error by the WJC shortstop. The Cardinals took advantage of two Southern errors in the next two innings to tie the game at 3-3 until Jewell took the lead in the top of the fifth after a two run home run from Pauline. Another two errors in the top of the fifth gave the Cardinals another run in the inning and a 6-3 lead heading into the home half of the fifth. Southern came out in the home half of the fifth with back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases with no outs, however they would only push across one run when Caldarella scored on a sacrifice fly from Fry to make it 6-4. The Lions tied the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth with a lead off walk to pinch hitter junior Sarah Morrison. Following a sacrifice bunt by Hester that advanced Morrison to second, Morrison advanced to third on a double down the left field line by Corbett and scored on a wild pitch from Olson. The game tying run came following a pitching change for William Jewell when sophomore Myranda Stewart grounded out to second base to score Corbett. After a three up and three down top of the seventh the Lions looked to be in business with a one out walk to senior Sarah Williams who advanced to third on a two out single from freshman Kylie Wesbrooks. A pop up to the third baseman by Hester ended the threat and sent the game into the international tie breaker. In the top of the eighth with a runner on second, William Jewell sacrificed Greenstreet to advance Barnes to third. The Lions' freshman Taurean Guzman then struck out the next two batter to end the threat and send it to the bottom of the eight where the Lions would have Hester starting on second. With one out Caldarella hit into a fielder's choice to the Jewell shortstop but a nifty piece of base running from Hester avoided three tags by the Cardinals' third baseman to put runners on the corners with one out. With two outs Badalamenti stroked a 0-2 pitch into right center for the walk off single to score Hester.

Caldarella and Corbett both went 2-for-4 at the plate in the opening game with two runs scored and Caldarella added an RBI to go along with Stewart, Badalamenti, and Fry's RBIs.

Senior Ashley Lutz got the start inside the circle for the Lions going four innings allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits with three strikeouts in the no decision. Guzman (1-0) earned her first win of the season with four innings pitched allowing one run, unearned, on one hit with four strike outs.

Game Two
In the second game of the day the Prairie Stars of the University of Illinois at Springfield scored in the top half of the first when a hit by pitch scored following a wild pitch and a single to center field. Southern got that run back and took the lead in the home half of the second, when Stewart singled to left center to start the inning and pinch runner Morrison stole second. Badalamenti singled to right center to score Morrison, she advanced to second on the throw home and went to third following a throwing error by the UIS catcher. Badalamenti scored when Williams reached on a throwing error by the Prairie Stars' shortstop to make it 2-1 Lions. Illinois-Springfield tied it at 2-2 in the top of the fourth with a lead off double to left center and a one out single to right field. Southern took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth that started with sophomore Sydney Blue reaching base when the UIS shortstop's throw pulled the first baseman off the bag. Wesbrooks then sacrificed Blue to second and Hester's single through the right side of the infield put Blue on third. A throwing error by the right fielder allowed Hester to take second and Blue scored, Hester advanced to third, on the ensuing wild pitch. Corbett reached base on an infield but single to third before another delayed double steal scored Hester and put Corbett on second. Caldarella advanced Corbett to third with a deep fly ball to left and Corbett scored on yet another UIS wild pitch to make it 5-2. The Prairie Stars plated a run in the top of the sixth and the seventh to make it 5-4.

Corbett and Badalamenti both went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored to lead the Lions' offensive attack and Badalamenti and Williams had the two Southern RBIs.

Sophomore Kali' Hodson (2-1) earned the complete game win going seven innings allowing four runs, all earned, on eight hits with eight strike outs.

On The Day
Corbett led the offensive attack going 4-for-7 (.571) at the plate with three runs scored and a double and went 3-for-3 in stolen bases. Corbett also had a slugging percentage of .714 and an on base percentage of .625. Badalamenti finished .500 (4-for-8) at the plate with one run scored and two RBIs. The Lions were perfect on the day as they went 8-for-8 in stolen bases. Guzman led the Lions inside the circle with her 0.00 ERA and opponents' batting average of .077.

Up Next
Southern will start day two of the UAM 8 State Classic a hour later than originally scheduled. With morning temps in the mid 20s game times have been moved back one hour. The Lions will take on Minnesota-Dultuh at 4 p.m. and Rockhurst at 6 p.m. weather permitting.