Emporia, Kan. – The Missouri Southern softball team came away with a 5-3 win over Minot State on Sunday to register a 3-2 record over the weekend at the Emporia State Softball Classic.
 
Catcher Angel Badalamenti launched a three-run homer over the left-field fence to put the Lions on top 3-0 early on in the first.
 
The Beavers responded with two outs in the second through back-to-back singles, knocking in two runs to be within one. Minot State (13-8) tied the ball game in the fourth with a two-out base hit over the third base bag.
 
The Lions (12-16) regained the lead on a two-out RBI-single by Erika Lutgen through the left side to score the speedy Abi Corbett from second and another run after Shelby Friend reached on a double to right center and then scored on a pass ball to extend MSSU's lead to two in sixth (5-3).  The Beavers went down 1-2-3 in their final at-bat to finish 1-4 at the Classic.
 
Freshman pitcher Natalie Hamm threw four innings, allowing three runs on six hits with three strikeouts to earn her third win of the season. Veteran thrower Taurean Guzman recorded the save (4) in three innings without run and giving up one hit while striking out two and forcing batters into four ground balls for outs.
 
Corbett, Lutgen, Elizabeth Windsor, and Emilee Meyer each produced two hits to insert pressure on the Beavers defense in the victory.
 
Southern continues on the road to Warrensburg, Missouri for a conference double header against the Central Missouri Jennies at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, March 21.