Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern baseball team was back in action Sunday after a day off due to scheduling changes because of cold temperatures Saturday morning. In the first game of the day, the Lions picked up a victory over Lewis by a score of 13-6.

Game One on Sunday (MSSU's second of the tournament)
After a quiet first inning on both sides, the Lewis Flyers took a 1-0 lead early in the second. The Lions then got to work in their half of the inning, as Will Doherty and Wyatt Morgan started things off with back-to-back singles, then Nate Mieszkowski drew a walk to load the bases. Treghan Parker put the Lions on the board with an RBI single, then Drew Davis drove in another on a fielder's choice. Later in the inning, Henry Kusiak picked up an RBI after being hit by a pitch, and Ethan Clark drove in Davis on a single to left. Two more runs were scored in the inning, thanks to a Will Doherty single to center.

Both teams scored a run in the third, and the Lions plated another in the fourth on a Doherty double to score Clark. Lewis used the fifth to chip away at their deficit, making it 8-6 MSSU through five. That score remained until the seventh when Missouri Southern plated five more. Nate Mieszkowski starting things off with a bang, hitting one over the left field wall. Treghan Parker then doubled and Drew Davis was hit by a pitch. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Henry Kusiak drove in all three runners with a triple to right-center. Ethan Clark then drove Kusiak in, beating out the throw for an infield single. Lewis was unable to score again, making it a 13-6 final score. 

Henry Kusiak went 2-4 at the plate, collecting 4 RBI and scoring 2 runs himself. Will Doherty and Ethan Clark both recorded 3 hits, Doherty with 3 RBI and Clark with 2 RBI. Nate Mieszkowski and Treghan Parker also finished with 2 hits and an RBI. Kyle Stoddard was credited with the win, pitching 4.0 innings in relief. He gave up just one run on five hits while striking out four and not giving up a walk.

Game Two on Sunday (MSSU's third of the tournament)
The first two Prairie Stars were retired on Cale McCallister strikeouts, giving the Lions a solid start to the game. In the bottom of the first, Drew Townsend led off with a double to left and would later come around to score on a ground out. With the bases loaded, Garrett Rice hit one up the middle for an infield single, scoring two runs on the play to make it 3-0 MSSU after one.

Illinois Springfield scored a run in the fourth, but the Lions responded in their half of the inning. With the bases loaded, Henry Kusiak smoked one up the middle to score two runs, making it 5-1 after four innings played. UIS made a push in the sixth, but MSSU escaped the jam with just one run given up. Both teams were kept quiet offensively, as the game ended 5-2 in favor of the Lions. The Prairie Stars had the bases loaded in the ninth, but Laif Hultine came in and struck out the last batter. 

Cale McCallister struck out 9 batters over 5.0 innings pitched, surrendering just 1 run on 6 hits and 0 walks. Henry Kusiak went 2-4 with 2 RBI in game two, and Garrett Rice also recorded 2 RBI with a pair of walks. Nate Mieszkowski drove in a run and scored one himself as well. 

The Lions will be back at Warren Turner Field tomorrow, Monday, February 19 as they take on the Mary Marauders. First pitch for that contest is scheduled for 1:00pm. 
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