Bolivar, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Lions (13-16, 3-5 MIAA) out hit Southwest Baptist (12-16, 5-5 MIAA) 23-17 and out scored the Bearcats 13-9 on their way to a split Monday afternoon at the SBU Softball Field in Bolivar.
 
Game One
The Lions struck first in the opening inning of the game when senior Alana Hester scored on a RBI single down the left field line by freshman Angel Badalamenti. Southwest Baptist squared the game up at 1-1 in the bottom of the third taking advantage of a fielding error by the Southern shortstop. The Lions regained the lead in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly from senior Sarah Williams that scored Badalamenti. The bottom of the sixth saw the Bearcats score four runs, one on a double down the left field line that was originally scored an error, two on a single up the middle, and one on a single through the left side of the Lions' infield for the 5-2 victory.
Senior Ashley Lutz got the start for the Lions going six innings allowing five runs, four earned, on 11 hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Hester and freshman Taurean Guzman led the Lions at the dish both going 2-for-3 while Badalamenti finished 1-for-1 with a run scored, a RBI, and two walks.
 
Game Two
The bats came alive for the Lions in game two of the twin bill as Southern belted 11 hits for 10 runs in the first five innings on their way to an 11-4 win over SBU.
Junior Sydney Fry got things started in the opening frame with a solo shot, her second of the season, for the early 1-0 lead. Southern added three more runs in the third inning with Hester scoring from first on an infield ground out by sophomore Abi Corbett, Hester was executing a hit and run and took third on the throw to first and with no one covering home for SBU Hester scored. Fry's second solo home run of the game followed by a sacrifice fly from Williams that scored Badalamenti made it 4-0 after three innings. Not to be out done Badalamenti had a sac fly of her own in the fourth that scored junior Sarah Morrison to make it 5-0 Lions. Southwest Baptist scored two in the bottom of the fourth, both on sacrifice flies to right field to make it 5-2 after four innings of play. The Lions poured it on in the fifth and it started with a one out solo home run from Williams. Following the home run the Lions loaded the bases with a single from freshman Kylie Wesbrooks and a pair of walks to Morrison and Hester. Wesbrooks scored on Corbett's infield single and Morrison scored on Fry's sacrifice fly and a single through the left side by Guzman scored Corbett and Hester. Following a pitching change for the Lions, Southwest Baptist scored two runs on a ground out to second and a single to center to avoid the run rule and send it to the sixth at 10-4. Southern added another run for good measure in the top of the seventh on Williams' single to right field that score Fry for the 11-4 win.
Guzman got the start for Southern going six innings allowing two runs, both earned, on four hits with one walk and five strike outs. Lutz pitched the fifth inning in relief allowing two runs, both earned, on two hits with one walk.

On The Day
Badalamenti led the offensive attack for the Lions going 3-for-4 (.750) with three walks, one sacrifice fly, and tallied three RBIs. She had a slugging percentage of .750 and an on base percentage of .750 as well. Three other Lions finished .500 at the plate, Corbett (4-for-8), Guzman (4-for-8), and Hester (3-for-6). Both Hester and Fry scored three runs, while Williams collected four RBIs while Fry collected three.
 
Up Next
The Lions will travel to St. Joseph to take part in the Apple Market Classic hosted by Missouri Western Friday through Sunday. Southern opens the classic with Northern State at 10 a.m. on Friday morning at Griffon Softball Field, the rest of the five games will be played at the Heritage Softball Complex.