Joplin, Mo. -- Brett Graham and Matt Smith drove in four, while Chris Hoffman set a new MSSU and MIAA single-game walks record as the Missouri Southern baseball team defeated visiting Fort Hays State 18-2 in seven innings today at Warren Turner Field. 

Southern (28-14, 18-13 MIAA) got a 3-for-3 day from Graham as he drove in four and scored three times, adding a home run in the first. Jackson Cain was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Smith went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored, also hitting a home run in the first. Hoffman walked in all five of his plate appearances, scoring three times as he set a new MSSU and MIAA single-game record for the feat. 

Jacob Bryant was 1-for-3 with three runs scored, while Tyler Sutherland had a hit and three driven in. Richie Gorski scored a pair of runs, while Jesse Rall had an RBI and a run scored. Rall also added a walk which extended his consecutive games streak for reaching base to 42-straight. Hayden Steele drove in a run and scored twice while Danny Biggs scored a run, as well. 

Cody Hutchinson started for the Lions and threw a six-inning gem, striking out three, walking none and allowing just a single, unearned run to move his record to 6-3 on the season. Trenton Moeller and Austin Aspegren combined to pitch the seventh inning with Aspegren striking out a pair. 

The Lions started the scoring as they batted around in the first inning, scoring nine runs. Home runs from Graham, a three-run blast, as well as Smith, a two-run job highlighted the inning. 

Southern scored a run in the second when Steele walked with the bases loaded, scoring Graham. 

Hays (17-24, 11-20 MIAA) added a run of their own in the third, but the Lions broke out for eight in the fifth, batting around for the second time. Cain was hit by a ptich, scoring Rall, and Graham scored on a wild pitch. Smith added a two-run single and Steele scored on a wild pitch, as well. 

The Tigers added a run in the seventh on a home run, but Moeller and Aspegren came in to close out the game. 

The two teams will wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch from Warren Turner Field is slated for noon.