Joplin, Mo. -- The 22nd ranked Missouri Southern baseball team fell victim to a pitcher's duel today as the 19th ranked Emporia State Hornets defeated the Lions, 3-2 today at Warren Turner Field. 

Southern (11-4, 3-4 MIAA) got a quality start from Cody Hutchinson as he went seven and two-thirds of an inning, striking out five and scattering seven hits. Connor Matson and Zach Litchen threw the final inning and a third, holding the Hornets scoreless. 

Jackson Cain went 3-for-4 in the game, while Tyler Sutherland was 2-for-4. Chris Hoffman, Jesse Rall, Jacob Bryant and Brett Graham had a hit each. 

Emporia (14-3, 7-0 MIAA) had three hits form BJ Dean and two hits from Daniel LaMunyon. Tyler Stubblefield threw eight innings, striking out nine and walking just two. Garrett Brummett picked up the save. 

The Hornets scored two runs in the first inning to go up 2-0. Southern answered back with two runs of its own in the fifth. Matt Smith walked, but was retired when Richie Gorski reached on a fielder's choice. Gorski stole second and then moved to third when Hoffman picked up an infield single on a deep grounder to short. Rall then singled to short right-center and with Hoffman on the move, both runners scored, tying the game at two. 

The game remained tied until the eighth when Emporia put a run across on a sacrifice fly from Evan Koehler. 

Southern had four stolen bases on the day as Gorski, Bryant, Sutherland and Cain all swiped a base. 

The two teams will be back in action tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is slated for 1 pm.