Bentonville, Ark. - Battling the cold weather and the University of Minnesota at Duluth the Missouri Southern Lions dropped a nine inning affair 8-7 to end the UAM 8 State Classic with a record of 2-1.

In their lone game of the day, the game against Rockhurst was canceled due to forecasted weather, the Lions (4-5) rallied twice in regulation before falling to Minnesota-Duluth (1-3) in the ninth inning in the international tie breaker. Duluth took advantage of the Lions lone error of the game in the bottom of the first as they scored following a fielding error by senior Sarah Williams. Southern got the run back in the top of the next frame as Williams scored when sophomore Sydney Blue was thrown out attempting to steal second base. In the top of the third the Lions took the lead with sophomore Abi Corbett and freshman Ashley Caldarella successfully completed a double steal and on the throw down to second Corbett broke for home. Caldarella scored on the following play when sophomore Myranda Stewart doubled down the left field line to make it 3-1 Southern. The Bulldogs plated three runs in the bottom half of the inning taking advantage of two UMD singles, two walks, a steal of home, and two Lions' wild pitches. Both teams went three up and three down in the fourth before the Lions would take the lead again in the top of the fifth with Corbett leading off with an infield single to short and stealing second. Caldarella singled to center and Corbett scored on Stewart's RBI ground out to shortstop. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Caldarella scored on freshman Angel Badalamenti's single to right. Southern tacked on another run in the sixth with junior Sarah Morrison leading off with another infield single, this one to third base and stealing second. Morrison advanced to third on a strike three passed ball that allowed Corbett to reach first. Following a Duluth pitching change Morrison scored on a wild pitch from the new pitcher, Sadler. The Bulldogs tied the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth with two runs on three singles up the middle and a walk. The Bulldogs threatened in the bottom of the seventh with a runner on second and one out before Nelson hit into a shortstop to first base to third base double play to send the game into extras and the international tie breaker. After both teams failing to score in the first extra inning the Lions pushed across a run in the top of the ninth when Corbett scored on a wild pitch. Duluth answered with a RBI single through the right side of the infield to tie it back up at 7-7 and a walk off sacrifice fly made it 8-7.

Corbett finished 2-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored and two stolen bases. Caldarella went 2-for-3 at the dish with two runs scored and Stewart and Badalamenti had the two RBIs for Southern.

Sophomore Kali' Hodson got the start inside the circle for the Lions going two and a third innings allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits with two strike outs. Senior Ashley Lutz came in relief and pitched three and two-thirds innings allowing two runs, both earned, on four hits with four strikeouts and freshman Taurean Guzman (2-1) suffered her first loss of the season going two and two-thirds innings allowing two runs, unearned, on two hits with just one walk.

The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday the 17th as they travel to Claremore, Oklahoma to take on Rogers State. First pitch from the Diamond Sports Complex is scheduled for 1 p.m.