Joplin, Mo. -- Jacob Bryant went 3-4 at the plate and Chris Hoffman threw six innings for the win as the 15th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team completed the three-game sweep of McKendree with a 5-1 win today at Warren Turner Field. 

Southern (8-0) got six strong innings from Hoffman in his first start of the season. He struck out five and walked just one as he scattered three hits with one run allowed. Sean Goostree threw two innings, striking out three and walking none and Conner Matson threw the ninth, striking out two and walking none. 

Bryant went 3-for-4 at the pate with a run scored, while Hoffman was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run and an RBI. Richie Gorski had a hit and an RBI, while Joe Paulno had a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Jackson Cain had a hit and an RBI. 

The Lions started the scoring in the first when Southern plated three runs in the opening frame. Gorski led things off with a triple and Hoffman doubled him home for the first run of the game. Jesse Rall singled to left and Paulino hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Hoffman. Bryant singled Rall to third and Tyler Sutherland drove him home with a sacrifice fly. 

Southern scored a run in the fourth on Cain's RBI single, scoring Bryant and the Lions picked up an insurance run in the eighth on a home run from Paulino. 

The Lions will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 26 when Southern plays host to Lindenwood as MIAA play begins. First pitch from Warren Turner Field is slated for 3 pm.