Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball team (15-4, 0-0 MIAA) is set to travel to Springfield, Missouri to compete in a non-conference doubleheader against the Panthers of Drury University on Tuesday, March 5.

March 5

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Drury
First Pitch: 2:00 PM
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Site: Thompson Field a Meador Park

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Drury
First Pitch: 4:00 PM
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Site: Thompson Field a Meador Park

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

Scouting the Lions
The Missouri Southern softball program is off to a 15-4 start to their season. Previously, the Lions hosted two home-opening doubleheaders against Truman State (W, 12-4 in 5 inn. and 14-1 in 5 inn.) and Delta State which ended in two complete wins, 5-0 and 11-0 (5 inn.). Prior to the Lady Statesmen, the Lions competed in the Raising Cane's Festival where they went 3-2 with wins over Southern Nazarene, 10-6, Ouachita Baptist, 6-3, and Southwestern Oklahoma State, 5-2, but took half of their season's losses to Arkansas Tech, 4-0, and Southeastern Oklahoma State, 10-6. The Lions have seen the Bulldogs before this season in the Alvy Early Memorial Classic to which the Lions defeated the Bulldogs 8-2. 

Kylee Jacks leads the Lions in batting average with a .380. The Lions hit and run leader is also Jacks who has 19 hits and 22 runs for the Lions. On the mound, Kiki Pickens has thrown the most innings with 47.2 and has a 2.20 ERA and has 53 strikeouts.

Scouting the Panthers
The Panthers of Drury University have had a 9-9 start to their season. Previously, the Panthers competed in the Drury Classic where they went 3-2 with wins over Minnesota Crookston, 8-3, Culver-Stockton, 7-0, and Nebraska-Kearney, 8-7, but took losses to #12 Central Oklahoma, 5-3, and Minnesota Duluth, 7-5.

Sophia Luetticke leads the Panthers in batting average with a .447. Rylee Kolb is the Panthers current hit leader with 22 hits and tied for run leader with 13. On the mound, Kristina Bettis has thrown the most innings with 37.2 and has a 4.09 ERA and has 34 strikeouts.