Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball program advanced in the MIAA Tournament following a 7-5 game one win and a 3-2 walk-off win over Missouri Western inside the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
 
The Griffons (27-19) got the scoring started in game one in the second inning scoring four. Southern didn't waste time as the Lions (30-13-1) scored seven in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead.
 
Beginning the scoring explosion was a Kara Amos triple to score Ashlynn Williams. Sidnie Hurst reached on a fielding error by the Griffon second basemen to score Amos and Yazmin Vargas singled to left field, driving in Adrianna Young. Makaila Leonhart had a infield single to score Hurst and Leighton Withers had a bases clearing triple to score Josie Tofpi, Leonhart and Vargas. 
 
Missouri Western got a run in the seventh, but a double play turned by Leonhart ended the game with the bases loaded and the Lions victorious 7-5. Withers led with three RBIs, Vargas had two hits and a stolen base, Young led the team with two stolen bases and Amos picked up her 10^thwin of the season pitching 5.1 innings of relief striking out three.
 
In the second game Missouri Western jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning before the Lions shut them out the rest of the way, as Bailey Lacy allowed just one baserunner in the final three innings, while striking out four Griffons. 
 
Pitch hitting in the fourth inning Izzy Medrano picked up an RBI on a groundout to get the Lions on the board. And in the bottom of the seventh inning Vargas was the first to reach on base before stealing second, her 31st steal of the season. Following a Leonhart liner that almost got past the first basemen, Josie Tofpi was walked on four straight balls. Withers took the second pitch she saw in the at bat and ripped one to the top of the right field fence that stayed in to score Vargas and Tofpi to walk-off the game and advance to the semi-final round of the MIAA Tournament held in Edmond, Okla.
 
Withers led with her walk-off two RBIs, Medrano collected the other RBI, Amos went 2-of-3, Vargas is now tied with Abi Corbett's 2016 tally for the fifth most steals in a single-season at Missouri Southern. Lacy struck out seven in a complete game to earn her 10^th win of the season. 
 
The Lions await the winner of the Central Missouri and Washburn series after both teams picked up wins tonight. In Edmond the Lions will be playing Thursday May 13^th at 5 pm.