Maryville, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball program split the day with a run rule win over Winona State 8-0 in the night cap and a 3-1 loss to Concordia – St. Paul in the opener at the Bearcat Softball Field.
The Lions (15-9, 3-1 MIAA) faced off with the Golden Bears (15-2-1) first today with Concordia – St. Paul coming away with a close 3-1 win. CSP got two runs in the first inning off a home run to begin the scoring in the game. Southern got a double by
Kara Amos in the second inning but couldn't get her to cross home plate as after two innings the Golden Bears owned a 2-0 advantage.
In the third inning,
Sidnie Hurst singled to left field to begin the inning and a
Yazmin Vargas walk made it runners on first and second but CSP got out of the jam with a close call double play but in their half of the inning was shut out. The fourth inning saw the Golden Bears score a run off a home run to extend the lead to 3-0.
Southern got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning as Vargas got on base thanks to a bunt single before advancing to second off a wild pitch and scored off a
Josie Tofpi single to left field to complete the 3-1 score line. The Lions tried to play spoiler in the seventh with Amos hitting a single and Hurst getting hit by pitch to make it runners on first and second with two outs but CSP got the final out to secure the win. Amos went 2-of-3 at the plate and in the circle struck out five Golden Bears. Vargas, Tofpi and Hurst picked up hits in the game as well.
In the second game the Lions jumped out to a one run lead thanks to a
Leighton Withers' double down the left field line to score
Josie Tofpi in the first inning. Both teams were scoreless in the second inning before the Lions exploded for seven runs in the third inning.
The third inning began with
Yazmin Vargas hitting a bunt single and
Adrianna Young reaching base off a sacrifice bunt and an error that allowed Vargas to move to third. Tofpi singled home Vargas to set up Withers for a three run home run her third of the season.
Ashlynn Williams followed up Withers with a solo home run her second of the season to make it 6-0,
Kara Amos doubled to right center before a sacrifice bunt by
Kristen Wade moved her to third and from there she scored off a wild pitch.
Abby DeSanto had a pinch hit home run her second of the season to seal the 8-0 run rule win.
Bailey Lacy shut the door on the Warriors in the last two innings to pick up her seventh win of the season. Lacy pitched five innings of shutout ball with five strikeouts as well. Vargas, Withers and Amos went 2-of-3 from the plate with Withers coming away with a team-high four RBIs and Tofpi lead the team with two runs scored.
The Lions will conclude the Fairfield Classic tomorrow against Winona State to begin the day at 9:00am and then a rematch with Concordia – St. Paul at 1:00pm.
