Joplin, Mo. – Missouri Southern softball coach Hallie Blackney has announced the signing of Paige Paxton and Emily Perry. Both will be sophomores in 2023 for the Lions.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Emily and Paige to our family," said Blackney. "We expect both to come in and make an immediate impact in our program."
 
Paxton comes to Southern after playing at Butler Community College last season where she was a utility player for the Grizzles. An All-KJCCC Outfielder second teamer finished with a .385 average scoring 49 times while picking up 35 RBIs and 20 stolen bases while only striking out five times in 155 plate appearances for a 3.2 percent strikeout rate. 
 
She prepped at Derby High School in Derby, Kan. where she earned three letters for coach Christy Weve on the softball field and was also involved in the basketball program. Was a two time All-State and All-AVCTL selection as a pitcher for the Panthers while helping the team to back-to-back Regional Championships in 2018 and 19 while also being AVCTL League Champs along with finishing third in 6A in 2019.
 
Perry comes to Southern after playing at Central Arkansas a Division-I school that competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference. At UCA she appeared in 21 games getting the start in eight, finishing the season with four hits, four runs scored, a double, home run with a sacrifice fly and three RBIs. 
 
Perry prepped at Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Ark. where she was played on the softball team for coach Kent Early along with being a member of the volleyball and basketball teams. During her time as a Tiger she was named the Player of the Year in Arkansas by Gatorade, All Preps, USA Today and the NWA Democrat Gazette while being a first team All-State selection as a senior in 2021. Helped her team to finish as State Champions in 2021 and 2018 while being runners up in 2019, won three conference championships while being named the State Tournament MVP in 2021. Perry was a member of the National Honors Society and a Colors Day Queen as well. As a senior slashed .490/.553/.950 with 49 hits, 43 runs, 49 RBI, 16 doubles, and 10 home runs while helping the team to a state champions with a 29-3 record. Her sophomore year slashed .410/.495/.892 with 34 hits, 34 runs, 42 RBI, 14 doubles, and eight home runs. 
 
With the addition of these transfers the Lions 2023 class is now eight deep with six freshman (Natalie Bates, Marybeth Dyson, Katie Gray, Peyton Hawkins, Kelsi Qualls, Carsen Tinkler) already committed.