Claremore, Okla. – The Missouri Southern Lions (5-6) managed to split with Rogers State (3-6) Wednesday afternoon at the Diamond Sports Complex in Claremore, Okla.
 
Game One
The Lions used a ten run second inning to propel Southern to a 13-10 win over the Roger State Hillcats. Southern managed 17 hits over the seven inning game with seven of those coming in that second inning. Rogers State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead plating those runs in the bottom of the first. The second started with freshman Angel Badalamenti drawing a four pitch walk and advanced to third on a bunt single from junior Sydney Fry and a throwing error by the RSU pitcher. Following a stolen base by Fry, one of six for the Lions in game one, senior Sarah Williams singled home Badalamenti to cut the RSU lead down to 2-1. A RBI single from freshman Kylie Wesbrooks scored Fry and moved Williams all the way to third. A stolen base by Wesbrooks and a walk to junior Sarah Morrison loaded the bases with no outs for Southern before senior Alana Hester singled up the middle to score two. A stolen base from Hester and a walk to freshman Ashley Caldarella re loaded the bases still with one out in the inning. A bases loaded walk to sophomore Myranda Stewart scored Morrison and made it 5-2 Lions. Following a Hillcat pitching change Badalamenti hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Hester and a single down the left field line from Fry made it 7-2. A three run home run from Williams finished the scoring in the second inning and made it 10-2 Southern.
Rogers State pushed across two more in the home half of the second and pulled within one at 10-9 with five runs in the third before Southern tacked on another run in the fifth on a RBI fielder's choice by sophomore Abi Corbett. The Lions plated two more runs in the sixth with a RBI single by Williams and Fry stole home.
Rogers State added one more run in the bottom of the seventh with a RBI single through the right side of the Lions' defense. With bases loaded senior Ashley Lutz got Blanchard to strike out looking to end the game.
Fry was a perfect 5-for-5 from the plate with three runs scored with Williams going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and 5 RBIs to lead the offensive attack. Three other Lions also secured a multi-hit game.
Lutz (1-3) got the start and the win after going 6 1/3 innings allowing six runs, all earned, on nine hits with six strike outs. Freshman Taurean Guzman pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief in the third inning allowing four runs, all earned, on three hits.

Game Two
The Hillcats managed a split on the day as they rallied for an 8-6 win in game two Wednesday night. Southern scored first as they pushed two runs across in the top of the first on a RBI single from Corbett and a RBI ground out from Badalamenti. Sophomore Kali' Hodson (2-2) held RSU at bay until the third with the Hillcats scoring five and taking the 5-2 lead. After adding one run in the fourth RSU gave up a run in the fifth on a RBI double from Corbett. The Hillcats added two more in bottom half of the frame to make it 8-3.
The Lions sixth inning started with a hit by pitch to Badalamenti followed by a two run home run from Fry. Southern added one more run in the top of the seventh when Hester scored on a single to center from Stewart and a fielding error by the RSU center fielder.
Hodson went 3 1/3 innings allowing six runs, all earned, on six hits with two strike outs in the circle for Southern. Lutz pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief allowing just two runs, both earned, on two hits with three Ks.

On The Day
The Lions and Rogers State combined for 43 hits in both games with Sydney Fry going 6-for-8 for a .750 average at the plate with four runs scored and three RBIs. She had a .750 on base percentage and a slugging percentage of 1.250. Morrison finished the day 2-for-3 for a .667 average with two runs scored and Hester went .500 (4-for-8) at the dish with four runs scored and five stolen bases. The five stolen bases moved Hester into second place all time at MSSU with 80 career swipes passing Shari Heider (1993-96) with 78.

Up Next
The Lions will open their home schedule this weekend as they host Missouri S&T on Saturday in a twin bill starting at 12 p.m.