Topeka, Kan. -- The 19th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning and surged ahead to defeat Washburn 7-6 today at Falley Field. 

Southern (19-7, 9-7 MIAA) picked up the go-ahead RBI from Hayden Steele in the eighth as he walked with the bases loaded. Jacob Bryant went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored, as Chris Hoffman drove in two with a run scored. Tyler Sutherland scored two runs and drove in a run, while Brett Graham, Richie Gorski and Steele had RBIs. Matt Smith went 2-for-4 in the game. 

Chris Hoffman started the game and went six and two thirds of an inning, striking out seven and walking three in the game. Conner Matson threw the final two and a third to move his record to 2-0 on the season, allowing just two hits and striking out a batter. 

Washburn (14-12, 9-7 MIAA) got a pair of hits from three different individuals. 

Southern scored three in the first on RBIs from Hoffman as well as a run scoring on a ground out. 

Washburn scored three runs in the third, two in the fourth and a run in the fifth to go up 6-3, but the Lions broke out for four runs in the eighth. Sutherland doubled home Bryant to start the scoring and Graham was hit by a pitch to score another run. Gorski added an RBI single before Steele's bases-loaded walk for the eventual winning run. 

The Lions will be back in action on March 30 as they travel to Central Oklahoma for a mid-week conference matchup with the Bronchos. First pitch is slated for 3 pm.