Kearney, Neb. - The Missouri Southern softball program swept its fourth conference opponent with 3-0 and 6-1 wins over Nebraska - Kearney on Saturday Apr. 1st from Patriot Park behind a single-game strikeout record in game one and a one out scoring outburst in the second inning of game two.

The Lions (24-7, 9-1 MIAA) were led by a program record 15 strikeouts by Bailey Lacy in her second complete game shutout and seventh win of the season. Lacy passed Haley Kinnison vs. Northeastern State on Mar. 16th, 2013 and Tara Curtis vs. Fort Hays State on Mar. 11th, 2006 with both pitchers recording 14 strikeouts. Yazmin Vargas and Josie Tofpi had an RBI each with Emily Perry, Vargas and Adrianna Young scoring runs. 

Southern got a run in the first inning with a Vargas sacrifice fly scoring Perry and another run in the third inning with a delayed double steal to make it 2-0. In the fifth a Tofpi single scored Vargas with Lacy recording 11 strikeouts by that point as the Lions cruised to a 3-0 victory and Lacy strikeouts being responsible for four of the last six outs.

In game two The Lopers (12-20, 3-5 MIAA) got a run in the first inning but six runs in the second inning by the Lions proved to be the difference. The second inning scoring began with a Kara Amos single to center field scoring Leighton Withers, Abby DeSanto doubled home Amos, an error forced by Adrianna Young scored two, a wild pitch scored Young and a Vargas single to the shortstop scored Perry to end the one out scoring run. Natalie Bates would come in to pitch the third inning and after four innings had struck out six with Amos closing out the game in the seventh with 11 pitches surrendering no hits. 

Up next for the Lions will be a noon first pitch in Hays, Kan. against Fort Hays State at Fleharty Family Field in a double header to end the weekend.  Read Full Article