Emporia State, Kan. – The Missouri Southern softball team fell to both Illionis-Springfield (10-7) and No. 10 Southern Arkansas (6-3)  to close out day one of the 6-state Classic inside the Trusler Sports Complex Saturday afternoon.

Game 1
A three-run homer by Erika Lutgen in the top of first inning put the Lions on top 4-0 heading into the second where they added a run on a Kaycee Hodgson solo shot to left center early on (5-0).

Then UIS (1-1) came out swinging toward a 6-run second inning from two singles, a walk, fielder's choice, and sacrifice fly. The Prairie Stars tacked on three more in the bottom half of the third to lead by four.

The Lions (3-4) cut the deficit to three, but would fall short in the comeback after going scoreless in the final two innings of play.

Center fielder Abi Corbett was 2-for-4 at the plate, scoring one run and stealing a base.  Shelby Friend added a 1-for-4 spot, including a home run in the fifth and a RBI on a fielder's choice. Lutgen added two walks to her day as well.

Game 2
In the back end of the double-header, the Lions (3-5) held the Muleriders scoreless through three and struck first after Angel Badalamenti was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded (1-0).

SAU (8-0) responded in the bottom of the fourth by leading off with a solo home run and closing with on a five-run lead. The Lions (3-5) made things interesting in the seventh as they plated two runs to cut the lead in half, but that's where it ended to end the day.

Second Day
Southern looks to rebound as it faces off against No. 14 Missouri-St. Louis at 11:00 am, followed up with a meeting at 1:00 pm to take on Henderson State to conclude the classic.