Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team got a home run from Matt Miller and struck out nine Northwest Missouri batters on the day, but the Lions couldn't escape an early deficit to the Bearcats as the Lions fell 6-3 today at Warren Turner Field in the series finale. 

The Lions (11-8, 3-3 MIAA) had good days at the plate from Miller and Tommy Stevenson. Miller went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double, while Stevenson was 2-for-4 with a double and a triple, while driving in a run. Jordan Fitzpatrick had an RBI triple, while Nate Mieszkowski had a hit and Clay Milas scored a run. 

Cole Woods started and went two innings, while Cale McCallister came in and held the Bearcats in check for four and a third, striking out three and allowing one unearned run. Jeremiah Kennedy threw an inning and a third with four strikeouts, while Scott Duensing threw the final inning and a third. 

Northwest Missouri (5-11, 1-5 MIAA) scored four in the first and two in the third to lead 6-1 after three innings. 

Miller homered in the second and Fitzpatrick tripled home Henry Kusiak in the sixth for the Lions' second run. Milas scored a run in the eighth on an RBI triple from Stevenson. 

The Lions will be back in action next weekend with three games at Central Oklahoma.