Maryville, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball program split a pair against Northwest Missouri today losing game one 3-1 before winning game two 5-0 inside the Bearcat Softball Field as Bailey Lacy went over 100 strikeouts this season.
The Lions (24-19, 12-8 MIAA) squared off against Northwest Missouri (12-35, 6-16 MIAA) and got out of an early jam in the first as Kara Amos made a play for a force out and then struck out a Bearcat for a scoreless frame. In the second Northwest would score as back-to-back hits scored one for an early 1-0 lead.
Both teams were held in check in the third inning before the Lions tied it up 1-1 thanks to Ashlynn Williams hitting her sixth home run of the season. Northwest responded in the fifth with two runs to retake the lead at 3-1.
The Lions got an inning starting walk by Kristen Wade and an Amos double with no outs in the seventh but could not get anyone across the board with the Bearcats making plays to ensure the lead.
Southern collected hits from Josie Tofpi, Williams, Abby DeSanto and Amos who struck out five Bearcats in the circle.
In game two the Lions got three runs in the first inning as back-to-back singles by Kara Amos and Adrianna Young scored Yazmin Vargas, Josie Tofpi and Amos. Bailey Lacy came into today needing two strikeouts to become the 12th Lion in program history to eclipse 100 strikeouts in a season and in the second inning she got the first batter of the inning to strikeout looking for her 100thstrikeout. Lacy kept the Bearcats off the board in the first two innings with runners in scoring position and the Lions held onto their 2-0 lead.
It would stay 2-0 for the Lions until the 6th inning where the Lions capitalized on Bearcat fielding mistakes scoring off an error and a passed ball for a 5-0 score line that stood as the final score.
For the game Young, Amos and Sidnie Hurst collected RBIs with Amos and Young also going perfect from the plate (1-for-1 and 2-for-2). Bailey Lacy ended up with six strikeouts in six inning for her 11th win of the season and Kara Amos picked up two strikeouts in the seventh.
Single Season Ranks
Yazmin Vargas moved into sole possession of 9th in runs scored passing Erin Turner (2001) with 43 runs this season.
Kara Amos moved into a tie for 6th with Paula Baker (2001) with 16 doubles this season
Ashlynn Williams moved into a tie for 6th with Jennifer Jimerson (1996) and teammate Leighton Withers with 42 RBIs this season.
Bailey Lacy with 104 strikeouts moves into 14th and just eight away from moving into the top-10.
Up next for the Lions will be Missouri Western tomorrow at 2:00 and 4:00pm approximately from the Griffon Softball Field.
