Warrensburg, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Lions (15-22, 3-7 MIAA) dropped a pair of MIAA games to Central Missouri (18-14, 7-3 MIAA) 7-6 and 10-6 Wednesday afternoon at Jennies Field at the South Rec Complex in Warrensburg.

Game One
Southern struck first in the opening game with two runs in the top of the first when senior Alana Hester stole home and freshman Angel Badalamenti scored on a single through the left side by fellow freshman Ashley Caldarella. Central Missouri got one run back in the bottom of the inning on a RBI ground out by Emily Robinson that scored Austin Eickleberry who was pinch running for Emily King. Following back-to-back singles by Hester and sophomore Abi Corbett, the Jennies loaded the bases when they hit Badalamenti with one out. The very next pitch saw sophomore Myranda Stewart launch a grand slam down the left field line that gave the Lions a 6-1 lead. UCM tied it up in the bottom of the second with five runs on five hits and one MSSU error and took the lead for good in the next frame on a RBI ground out by Makayla Schoonover that scored Katie Giacone who reached on a 3-2 walk.

Senior Ashley Lutz (8-10) got the start for the Lions going three innings allowing seven runs, three earned, on nine hits with two walks and three strike outs. Freshman Taurean Guzman pitched three innings of relief holding the Jennies to just one hit with one strike out.

Game Two
The second game of the twin bill saw the Lions jump out early again with an RBI single up the middle from Stewart that scored Hester. Central Missouri would regain the lead in the bottom half of the inning with a two run home run from Lauren Mabe and they tacked on another two runs in the second inning for a 4-1 lead. Southern tied it up in the top of the third as Hester lead off the inning with a single to shortstop and advanced to second on a ground out to first base by Corbett. An infield single from Stewart moved Hester to third and Hester scored on the throw to first. Following a hit by pitch to junior Sydney Fry and a single from Caldarella the bases were loaded for senior Sarah Williams who came through with a two RBI single to center to even it up at 4-4. Two singles and a walk to start the bottom of the third however forced a pitching change for Southern as Guzman came in relief of sophomore Kali' Hodson and gave up a grand slam to Allie Dishinger to make it 8-4 Jennies. Southern got a run back in the fourth as Hester scored on a reverse double play to make it 8-5 and the Lions cut it down to 8-6 in the fifth on a solo home run from Fry. UCM added two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a passed ball and an infield single for the 10-4 win.

Hodson (4-6) got the start in the circle going two innings allowing seven runs, all earned, on four hits with two walks. Guzman pitched 2.2 innings of relief allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits and Lutz pitched the final inning and a third holding the Jennies to just one walk.

On The Day
Hester, Guzman, and Caldarella all finished the day 3-for-7 (.429) at the plate with Hester scoring five runs and swiping a base while Fry finished 2-for-5 (.400) with two runs scored and the solo home run. Stewart hit .375 (3-for-8) on the day with five RBIs including the game one grand slam.

Up Next
The Lions will return home this weekend as they host Washburn on Friday at 2 p.m. and Emporia State on Saturday at noon.