Pittsburg, Kan. -  The Missouri Southern Lions softball team opened MIAA play with a pair of losses to Pittsburg State, 11-4 and 7-0, Friday evening at the Pittsburg State Softball Complex.

Game One
The Lions (9-12, 0-2 MIAA) struck first in the top of the opening frame with senior Alana Hester drawing a 3-1 walk, sophomore Abi Corbett had a single bunt back to the pitcher, and freshman Ashley Caldarella was hit by the first pitch she saw to load the bases with no outs. Sophomore Myranda Stewart hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Hester and a wild throw by the Gorillas' shortstop allowed Corbett to score from third to make it 2-0 Southern. Pittsburg State got those two runs back in the home half of the third on a RBI single through the left side by Nicole Nease and Sierra Hall scored on a wild pitch. The Gorillas took a 3-2 lead in the same inning on a RBI walk to Jenna Bolton. PSU added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth on a wild pitch that scored Ashton Pratt and a RBI single back to the pitcher by Katy Remy. The Lions cut the Pitt State lead back down to one in the top of the fifth that started with a 3-2 walk to freshman Kylie Wesbrooks and an infield single by Hester. Following a sacrifice bunt by Corbett, Caldarella ripped a 2 RBI single down the left field line to make it 5-4. The Gorillas added four runs in the bottom of that frame and tacked on two more in the sixth to make it 11-4.

Freshman Taurean Guzman (2-3) got the start and suffered the loss for the Lions going 2.1 innings allowing three runs, all earned, on four hits with three strike outs. Sophomore Kali' Hodson pitched 3.2 innings of relief allowing eight runs, all earned, on eight hits with four Ks. The Lions managed just three hits in the opening game with Hester, Corbett, and Caldarella and Caldarella had two of the three RBIs for Southern with Stewart adding the third.

Game Two
The night cap was all Pittsburg State (12-5, 2-0 MIAA) as they shut out the Lions 7-0. The Lions again managed just three hits with Hester, Corbett, and freshman Angel Badalamenti collecting the hits. Senior Ashley Lutz pitched the complete game for Southern going 6 innings allowing the seven runs, all earned, on eight hits with two strike outs.

Up Next
The Lions will be back in action tomorrow as they host Pittsburg State in a non-conference double header at Lea Kungle Field at the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.