Joplin, Mo. - What started out as a celebration of the tradition of Missouri Southern Softball ended up in a celebration of a sweep as the Lions defeated visiting Lindenwood University 5-1 and 10-7 Sunday afternoon at the newly christened Pat Lipira Softball Complex.

Game One
Southern (21-24, 9-9 MIAA) got things started in the bottom of the first as senior Alana Hester led off with an infield single and then stole second, that was Hester's 99th career stolen base tying the school career record held by Erin Turner (1999-2002) who was coached by Lipira. Hester advanced to third on another infield single this one by sophomore Abi Corbett and freshman Taurean Guzman was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Freshman Angel Badalamenti scored Hester on a sacrifice fly to left field and Corbett scored on a throwing error by the Lindenwood catcher to make it 2-0 Lions after one inning of play. Lindenwood made it a one run ball game in the third that Taylor Scott led off with a walk and was sacrificed to second. A single to right by Rebecca Stocker moved Scott to third and a fielder's choice by Maria Tippit scored Scott for the only Lindenwood run of the game. Southern came back in the bottom of the third with a run of it's own as Guzman laced a single down the left field line that scored Corbett from third to make it 3-1 Lions. Southern tacked on two more runs in the fourth on a double to right center by senior Sarah Williams that scored junior Sydney Fry and Williams scored on a fielding error later in the inning by the Lindenwood second baseman.

Senior Ashley Lutz (12-11) tossed the complete game allowing just the one run, earned, on two hits with two walks and three strike outs. Both Hester and Corbett went 2-for-3 at the plate with Corbett scoring twice and Hester once. Williams' double in the fourth was her seventh of the season.

Game Two
The night cap in the Battle of the Lions started off slow with Brooklyn Sisk of Lindenwood getting a lead off walk and then was picked off at first and the Lions stranded Guzman after a two out single to right. Southern broke through in the second inning as freshman Ashley Caldarella led the inning off with a walk and was sacrificed to second by Fry and another double from Williams scored Caldarella for the game's first run. Freshman Kylie Wesbrooks' two out single through the left side of the Lindenwood infield scored Williams to make it 2-0 Southern. Lindenwood came back in the top of the third with two runs of their own on back-to-back RBI singles from Tippit and Alexandra Newcomb. Southern's bats came alive in the bottom of the frame with four RBIs from Williams (single), sophomore Myranda Stewart (double), and two from Wesbrooks (single). The Lions added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth, with three of those runs coming on a bases loaded double by Williams and an infield single by Stewart to make it 10-2 Southern. Lindenwood managed to scrape across a run in the top of the fifth on a wild pitch to avoid the run rule and score four of their own in the top of the seventh topped off by a three run home run to center by Madison Huot to make it 10-7.

Sophomore Kali' Hodson (6-6) went 6.1 innings allowing all seven runs, five earned, on eight hits with three walks and three strike outs. Lutz collected the save (2) and closed the door on Lindenwood allowing just one base runner via a walk and struck out the final batter for her 125th strike out of the season.

On The Day
Both Hester and Williams finished the day 4-for-7 (.571) at the plate with Williams slugging 1.000 with three doubles, six RBIs, and scoring four runs. Guzman and Stewart both finished 3-for-6 (.500) and Wesbrooks added three RBIs. Lutz ERA for the day was 0.91 and she held her opponents to a batting average of .083 in 7.2 innings of work.

On The Weekend
Four Lions hit .400 or better on the weekend as Southern went 3-1. Williams led the way going .533 (8-for-15) with five doubles and six RBIs and six runs scored. Hester finished 8-for-16 with two runs, two doubles, and three stolen bases. Hester is currently tied with Erin Turner (1999-2002) for the career record in stolen bases. Stewart hit .462 (6-for-13) on the weekend with a pair of doubles and four RBIs and Guzman finished at .400 (6-for-15) with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Lutz appeared in all four games this weekend going 2-1 with an ERA of 1.35 and an opponents batting average of .179 in 20.2 innings of work. Lutz allowed 14 hits and six walks while striking out 20.

Up Next
The Lions will close out their home portion of the schedule on Wednesday April 6 as they host the Hillcats of Rogers State University at 4 p.m. at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.