Bentonville, Ark. - The Missouri Southern Softball team wrapped up their first day at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic on Friday, February 9. The Lions began the classic with a tough loss to #8 Texas-Tyler, 1-0, but turned it around and won the next two games against Truman State, 8-2, and Missouri S&T, 7-3.

Missouri Southern vs. #8 Texas-Tyler
L, 1-0

The Lions had their toughest matchup of the season so far for the first game in the Classic, facing a world series semifinalist just a season ago in the University of Texas at Tyler. Despite the rankings the Lions held their own throughout the game defensively, tallying two double-plays and two strikeouts in the first five innings to not allow the Patriots to touch the scoreboard. Despite the strong defense, offensively the Lions only had one hit through the first five innings which held the game at 0-0 through the fifth. 

The Patriots were able to get on the board in the top of the sixth with two hits, but the Lions defense kept the Patriots to only one run and left three UT Tyler runners on base as the Lions trailed 1-0. Despite a fantastic defensive outing that did not allow another Patriot hit or run, the Lions could not get any momentum offensively as the Lions took their first loss of the season, 1-0.

Lily Rand (0-1) picked up the loss for the Lions and pitched all 7.0 innings and gave up six hits and one run while striking out four batters in the 24 batters that she faced. 

Missouri Southern vs. Truman State
W, 8-2

The Lions were looking to bounce back from the tough loss as they took on the Bulldogs of Truman State. The Bulldogs jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Lions immediately had an answer, putting up four runs in the first inning with an RBI from a Taylor Nuckolls bunt and a sacrifice fly from Katie Gray, as well as two runs from a wild pitch and a passed ball. The Lions found a way to score in the next three innings as well. Emily Perry singled to center field in the second to bring in Nuckolls on a passed ball. Abby DeSanto was the first to bat in the bottom of the third and hit the Lions first homerun of the day over the center field fence. Katie Gray followed DeSanto's homer with one of her own in the fourth inning to bring in Adrianna Young as well to give the Lions a 8-1 lead. The Lions defense only gave up one more run that came in the seventh inning to come away with the 8-2 victory over the Bulldogs.

Kiki Pickens (2-0) got the win for the Lions, pitching all 7.0 innings and giving up only six hits and two runs while striking out seven batters of the 28 she faced.

Missouri Southern vs. Missouri S&T
W, 7-3

The Miners came out with the momentum early, taking a 3-0 lead after the top of the second inning. In the bottom of the second, Kara Amos took advantage of a passed ball and scored to narrow the Lion's deficit to 3-1. After Adrianna Young reached home in the bottom of the third off a Miner error, a weather delay left Kara Amos at the plate with a full count and runners on second and third until play resumed around 7:20 PM. After a 30 minute delay, Amos stepped up to the plate and hit a double to center field, scoring the runners and giving the Lions a 4-3 lead after three innings. The Lions defense stepped up big and did not allow another Miner run, while offensively three RBI's from Carsen Tinkler, Abby DeSanto and Reese Davis in the fifth inning gave the Lions the 7-3 win.

Avery Tallman (3-0) got the win for the Lions on the mound, relieving Natalie Bates and throwing 5.1 innings, giving up only four hits and zero runs in the 22 batters that she faced. Bates struck out three batters and gave up three runs in the first 1.2 innings that she pitched.

Up Next
The Missouri Southern Softball team will wrap up at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic Saturday,  February 10, starting off against Illinois Springfield (11:00 AM) and then playing Southwest Baptist (1:30 PM) at Memorial Park on Field 2 in Bentonville, Arkansas. Read Full Article