Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball program completed a weekend sweep as they took out Fort Hays State 8-0 and 3-1 today inside the Pat Lipira Softball Complex and Yazmin Vargas moved up the stolen base charts as well. 
 
The Lions (20-15, 8-4 MIAA) won the first game 8-0 over Fort Hays State (16-19-1, 2-6 MIAA) with Kara Amos picking up a six inning shutout win, while adding two RBIs. Ashlynn Williams also picked up two RBIs in the game and Yazmin Vargas went 2-for-2 with three runs scored, two walks drawn and two stolen bases.
 
Southern began the first inning with a Williams' single through the left side to score Adrianna Young and Yazmin Vargas, while Amos finished the scoring off with a single up the middle that scored Leighton Withers and Williams. 
 
In the fourth inning a Josie Tofpi stolen base caused a throwing error by the Tigers catcher that allowed Vargas and Tofpi to score on the play for a 6-0 lead. A Tori Frazier single to center field in the fifth inning scored Kristen Wade and in the sixth a fielding error by the Tigers third baseman allowed Vargas to score and complete the run-rule 8-0 victory.
 
Game two saw Leighton Withers, Ashlynn Wiliams and Kara Amos pick up an RBI and Yazmin Vargas swiped two bases as well. Bailey Lacy struck out nine in seven innings throwing 131 pitches and picked up her ninth win of the season. 
 
In the first inning the Lions got the scoring started with a Williams single that scored Josie Tofpi. The third inning saw Fort Hays get on the board with a sacrifice fly to even it 1-1. 
 
Neither team could get much going again until the sixth inning when the Lions began with Vargas drawing a walk and then stealing second before a Withers double to left field scored her. Amos picked up an RBI off a fielding error by the Tigers right fielder that allowed Sidnie Hurst to score and seal the 3-1 win. 
 
The seventh inning Lacy got back-to-back swinging strikeouts before getting the third batter to fly out to Vargas to end the game. 
 
Vargas passed Monica Fabro (1988-90) for career steals in the Green and Gold in the third inning of game two and ended the game with 51 steals in her career just behind Angie Murphy (1985-86 with 52 steals) for sixth. For head coach Hallie Blackney this was her 80th win of her career at Missouri Southern as well.
 
Next up for the Lions is Pittsburg State next Saturday with first pitch at 12:00 and 2:00pm approximately from the Pittsburg State Softball Complex.