Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern softball program began MIAA action today inside the Pat Lipira Softball Complex as the Lions came away victorious 4-2 before falling 6-3 in the nightcap.

The Lions (12-8, 1-1 MIAA) were off to a great start in the first game as Josie Tofpi tripled to right center but couldn't make her way across home plate and the first inning ended scoreless after the Jennies (6-13, 1-1 MIAA) went down in order. Central Missouri got on the board in the second inning score two runs with the Lions responding in the bottom half of the inning. Ashlynn Williams doubled to left center before a Kara Amos double to right field scored her with Amos later scoring off a Tori Frazier single to left center.

The next two innings saw both teams go scoreless until the fifth inning. Southern began the inning off with Frazier earning a walk before scoring off a Yazmin Vargas double down the left field line and Vargas scored off a Leighton Withers single up the middle to close the scoring at 4-2. The Lions got out of a jam in the sixth inning before shutting the door close in the seventh with the Jennies going down in order.

Game one say the entire starting lineup get a hit with Williams coming away with two hits to lead the team while Vargas, Withers, Frazier and Amos picked up an RBI. Amos went the distance to pick up her sixth win of the season as well.

Game two saw Central Missouri jump out to a two run lead in the first inning with the Lions able to load the bases before ending the inning scoreless. Southern kept the Jennies off the scoreboard before scoring themselves in the third inning as a Yazmin Vargas bunt caused a throwing error by the UCM third baseman with the ball ending up at the fencing in dead center with Sidnie Hurst scoring and Vargas crossing home plate as well to tie it 2-2. 

The Jennies got a run back in the fourth inning to make it 3-2, and the Lions responded in the fifth inning as a Withers double to left center scored Josie Tofpi who had just singled to right field to tie it 3-3. Both teams were kept off the scoreboard in the sixth inning to set up a seventh inning where the Jennies scored three to seal the 6-3 score.

Game two saw Hurst, Vargas, Tofpi and Withers collect two hits each with Vargas also picking up two RBIs and Withers had an RBI. Bailey Lacy started in the circle and ended with five strikeouts in the loss. 

The Lions will play Lincoln inside the Pat Lipira Softball Compelx tomorrow to close the opening weekend of MIAA play with games times set for 1:00pm and 3:00pm approximately.