Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball team (19-6, 3-1 MIAA) is set to host the MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament at Pat Lipira Softball Complex on Thursday, March 14 through Sunday, March 17. The Lions will compete in six games during the tournament, including two doubleheaders. 

March 14

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Augustana (SD)
First Pitch: 10:00 AM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Pat Lipira Softball Complex

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Augustana (SD)
First Pitch: 12:00 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Pat Lipira Softball Complex

March 15

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs St. Cloud State
First Pitch: 2:00 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Pat Lipira Softball Complex

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Concordia-St. Paul
First Pitch: 4:00 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Pat Lipira Softball Complex

March 16

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Winona State
First Pitch: 2:00 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Pat Lipira Softball Complex

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Winona State
First Pitch: 4:00 PM
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Pat Lipira Softball Complex

Media Coverage
Live Video/Stats - mssulions.com/sports/softball/schedule
Lions on Facebook:  facebook.com/mososoftball
Lions on Twitter: @mssusoftball; @mososports
Lions on Instagram: @moso_softball
Crossover Tourney Details: https://mssulions.com/sports/2024/1/26/2024-sb-tournament.aspx

Scouting the Lions
The Missouri Southern softball program is off to a 19-6 (3-1 MIAA) start to their season. Previously, the Lions hosted back-to-back conference doubleheaders where they split a series with Central Missouri, 1-2 and 8-0 (6 inn.), and swept Lincoln, 4-1 and 14-4 (5 inn.) after traveling to Drury where they split a doubleheader with the Panthers, losing game one, 8-0 (5 inn.), but winning game two, 14-5. 

Taylor Nuckolls leads the Lions in batting average with a .426 and RBIs with 25. The Lions hit leader is Kara Amos with 26 hits while Kyle Jacks leads the team in runs with 27. In the circle, Kiki Pickens has thrown the most innings with 62.2 and has a 2.23 ERA and has 59 strikeouts.

Scouting the Vikings 
The Vikings of Augustana University have had a 12-7 start to their season. Previously, the Vikings traveled to Missouri Western in a non-conference doubleheader which they swept the Griffons, winning game one 4-1, and taking game two 8-5. The Vikings traveled to Drury prior to Missouri Western and went 1-1 with a 9-0 win in game one and a 5-2 loss in game two.

Liz Dierks leads the Vikings in batting average with a .385. Dierks is also the Vikings current run leader and tied for hit leader with 14 runs and 20 hits. In the circle, Grace Glanzer has thrown the most innings with 55.0 and has a 0.33 ERA and has 58 strikeouts.

Scouting the Huskies
The Huskies of St. Cloud State are off to a 16-5 start to their season. Previously, the Huskies traveled to Auburndale, Florida where they competed in THE Spring Games where they went 7-1 with wins over Tomas More, Trevecca Nazarene, Montana State Billings, Staten Island, Quincy and Clarion, but taking a loss to Northwood.

Holly Weinberger leads the Huskies in batting average with a .400. Reese Holzhueter is the Huskies current hit and run leader with 27 hits and 23 runs. In the circle, Justyce Porter has thrown the most innings with 51.0 and has a 1.24 ERA and has 28 strikeouts.

Scouting the Golden Bears
The #24 Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul are off to a 15-4 start to their season. Previously, the Golden Bears traveled to Florida where they competed in THE Spring Games where they went 10-2 with four wins being by run-rule. The Warriors were on a nine game winning streak before losing back-to-back to College of St. Rose and Missouri-St. Louis.

Alexis Monty leads the Golden Bears in batting average with a .536. Monty also leads the Golden Bears in hits and runs with 37 hits and 23 runs. In the circle, Emmy Bowne has thrown the most innings with 66.2 and has a 3.36 ERA and has 29 strikeouts.

Scouting the Warriors
The Warriors of Winona State are off to a 16-4 start to their season. Previously, the Warriors traveled to Florida where they competed in THE Spring Games where they went 7-2 with the two losses being in the last three games. The Golden Bears are on a five game win streak with wins over Thomas More, St. Thomas Aquinas, West Virginia Wesleyan, Clarion and Montana State-Billings.

Abbie Hlas leads the Warriors in batting average with a .464. Monty also leads the Warriors in hits and runs with 32 hits and 25 runs. In the circle, Abby Smith has thrown the most innings with 47.1 and has a 3.80 ERA and has 22 strikeouts.