Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Lions Softball team split their home MIAA openers today defeating Fort Hays State 2-1 in nine innings in game one before falling to the Tigers 4-1 in game two.

Game One
Fort Hays State (9-12, 3-5 MIAA) struck first in the top of the third as they took advantage of a Southern error to score on a single to left center. The Lions (11-14, 1-3 MIAA) answered back in the bottom of the sixth with a lead off double to shallow left center by sophomore Abi Corbett. Freshman Ashley Caldarella sacrificed Corbett to third before a single from freshman Angel Badalamenti through the right side knotted the game a 1-1. The Tigers got the go ahead run on base in the top of the seventh but Chermayne Yago was thrown out attempting to steal third. Southern had a chance in the bottom of the seventh for the walk off win before freshman Taurean Guzman was stranded at third. With one out in the bottom of the ninth junior Sydney Fry worked a full count walk and was followed by a single through the left side of the FHSU infield by Guzman. Sophomore Sydney Blue took a 1-1 pitch off her lead shoulder to load the bases with just one out and freshman Kylie Wesbrooks stepping to the plate. Wesbrooks took a 1-1 pitch and placed it just out of the reach of the diving Tigers' shortstop for the walk off RBI.

Senior Ashley Lutz (6-6) shut down the FHSU offense going the full nine innings allowing just the one run, unearned, on five hits with two walks and eight strike outs.

Game Two
In the night cap the game was cruising right along until the top of the fourth when Fort Hays State scored four runs on six hits to chase the Lions' starter, sophomore Kali' Hodson. That was all the Tigers needed as Southern managed just one run in the bottom of the seventh when Fry led off the inning with a double to deep left center and advanced to third on a wild pitch during Blue's at bat. Following a ground out by Blue, Fry scored on another wild pitch during Wesbrooks' plate appearance.

Hodson (3-5) suffered the loss going just four innings allowing four runs, all earned, on seven hits with three strike outs. Lutz came in relief and pitched three hitless innings allowing just two base runners via the walk and struck out one.

On The Day
Caldarella led the Lions at the plate going 2-for-5 (.400) while Fry finished 2-for-6 (.333) with two runs scored and a pair of doubles. Wesbrooks and Badalamenti had the two RBIs for Southern. Lutz pitched 12 innings in total on the day allowing just the one unearned run in game one with four walks and nine strike outs.

Up Next
The Lions will host Nebraska-Kearney tomorrow morning at Lea Kungle Field with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m.