Topeka, Kan. - The 25th ranked Missouri Southern softball program advanced to Championship Sunday of the 2023 MIAA Softball Championships, marking the seventh appearance in the championship game or championship day and first since 2001 after beating Missouri Western and No. 9 Roges State on Saturday, May 6th.

Overall in program history the Lions have claimed five MIAA Tournament championships in 1990, 92, 93, 98 and 2001 with a runners-up finish in 1996. With the wins it also marks the Lions (40-12) first time winning 40 games in a season since 2001 and the eighth time overall in program history to achieve that many wins in a season.

Against Missouri Western (37-20) the Lions were led by Kara Amos going 1-for-2 with two RBIs, Ashlynn Wiliams who finished with an RBI, Yazmin Vargas went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base as Avery Tallman won her 18th game of the season and Bailey Lacy saved her second game of the season.

In the first inning the Lions got all they would eventually need to secure the win as a Williams single up the middle scored Vargas from second and a two-run home run from Amos on the second pitch she saw in her at-bat gave the Lions a 3-0 lead they would never relinquish. Tallman would pitch the first 4.0 innings of the shutout striking out three with no walks issued and only three hits given up with only one base runner ever being in scoring position. Lacy came in to pitch the final 3.0 innings to earn the save and got six fly outs and three ground outs from 24 pitches to secure the shutout and keep the Lions alive in the MIAA Tournament.

For the second elimination game of the day the Lions played Rogers State (43-12) who had beaten the Lions on Friday and in the rematch the Lions took the advantage early and held on to win 4-3. Yazmin Vargas led the team in hits going 2-for-4 with a stolen base as Emily Perry, Ashlynn Wililams and Leighton Withers had RBIs. Tallman got her 19th win of the season and Natalie Bates saved her second game of the season.

In the third inning the Lions capitalized on a throwing error by the Hillcats to score Adrianna Young before adding three more runs in the fourth inning to open up a 4-0 lead following an inside the park home run by Perry, a bases loaded walk drawn by Leighton Withers and a Williams RBI fielder's choice. Rogers State got on the board in the fifth inning with an RBI single and in the sixth a two-run home run made it a one run lead, 4-3 for the Lions.

Following the Hillcats home run Bates was inserted in the circle and after giving up a single got back-to-back outs with a fly out to center field and lining out to left field to head into the seventh with only three pitches thrown. Bates began the seventh inning off with a strikeout looking before getting the next batter to pop up to third base and secured the final out herself with a ground out she fielded and threw to first to send the Lions to Championship Sunday.

Now the Lions will be facing off again with No. 4 and first seed in the MIAA Tournament Central Oklahoma needing two wins to claim the MIAA Tournament title. Sunday begins at 11:00am from the Envista Softball Complex Field One with a Southern victory over UCO forcing the final and decisive game that will begin 30 minutes after the first game has completed.

Single-Season Update
Yazmin Vargas - Eclipsed Abi Corbett (2018), Alana Hester (2016) and Shari Heider (1994) for the second most steals in a season with 36. 

Leighton Withers - Tied Angie Turner (2010) for the most walks in a season with 31.

Josie Tofpi - Became the seventh player in program history to record three or more seasons with 100 or more assists (110 in 2019, 101 in 2021 and 103 in 2022). Those that have achieved the feat before are Ashley Caldarella (2016, 17 & 19), Erin (Turner) Doll (2000-02), Kami Weston (2000, 01 & 04), Lindsey Long (2002-04), Renee Livell (1984-86) and Shari Heider (1993-96).

Career Update
Josie Tofpi - Passed Jennifer Jimerson (1995-98) for the third most hits with 219. Moved into a tie with Withers for the seventh most walks in a career with 55. Tied with Erin (Turner) Doll (1999-02) for the fourth most assists in a career with 453.

Leighton Withers - Moved past Ashley Caldarella (2016-19) and Alana Hester (2013-16) for the seventh most walks with 55 to be tied with Tofpi. 
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