Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Softball team begins MIAA play on the road playing against the Newman Jets in Wichita, Kan in a double-header tomorrow, before traveling to Emporia to take part in the Emporia State 5-State Classsic Saturday and Sunday.

The Lions are coming off a 3-1 performance at the Teri Mathis Zenner Memorial Tournament last weekend. While the Jets are 2-9 on the season. 

Leaders for Southern in hitting are Josie Tofpi with a .571 batting average, .625 on base percentage and 12 total bases. Ashlynn Williams has a 1.000 slugging percentage, Yazmin Vargas has scored and collected eight hits to go with five stolen bases, and Leighton Withers has eight RBI's. Withers and Williams have hit a home run as well. 

Pitching is led by Abby Atkin with a 0.58 ERA and 12 innings pitched while posting a 1-1 record. Kara Amos has a 2-0 record in 6.2 innings of relief and has struck out nine batters. 

For the Jets Paige Wallace has posted a .486 batting average, while scoring 10 times, and collecting 18 hits starting in 11 games. Shanda Cox leads with a .583 batting average and a 1.365 on base percentage to go with a .750 slugging percentage in four starts. Taylor Ullery has a team-high three home runs and 12 RBIs in 11 starts. Katie Wentworth leads the Jets in ERA at 4.42 in four appearances, Madison Dewitt and Ana Veltien have picked up a win. 

First pitches from Newman Softball Field is scheduled 2 pm and 4pm.

In the 5-State Classic the Lions will be matchup with Quincy (3-5), Concordia - St. Paul (1-3), Minnesota State - Mankato (3-1), and Illinois - Springfield (1-8). 

Quincy is led offensively bu Ashley Gerber with a .440 batting average and 1.037 on base percentage, collecting 11 hits and 12 RBIs. MacKenie Collier is 2-1 for the Hawks in four appearances in the cirlce striking out 28 batters.

Concordia - St. Paul is led offensively by Clara Heislen with a .500 batting average and a 1.404 on base percentage, hitting a home run and having a team-high 10 RBIs. Bryanna Olson leads the Golden Bears with a 2.86 ERA in three appearances with a 1-1 record limiting opposing batters to a .267 batting average.

Minnesota State - Mankato is led offensively by Torey Richards with a .500 batting average and a 1.371 on base percentage. In the circle  Mackenzie Ward is 2-1 with a .79 WHIP and 28 strikeouts for the Mavericks.

Illinois - Springfield is led offensively by Danielle Dennis with a 1.330 on base percentage and .429 batting average in seven games, has two home runs and seven RBIs to go with a .810 slugging percentage. For the Praire Stars, Reagan Miles has pitched in six games with a 4.20 ERA. 

Lions begin the 5-State Classic Saturday against Quincy at 12:30 pm followed by Concordia - St. Paul at 3 pm. Sunday the Lions begin at 9:30 am facing off against Minnesota State - Mankato and then wrap up the tournament slate against Illinois - Springfield at 2:30 pm.