Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern baseball team was back at Warren Turner Field Friday afternoon, playing in their second consecutive home series. Visiting Joplin for the weekend is Emporia State, falling to Missouri Southern in game one by a score of 5-0. MSSU improves to 18-4 (6-1 MIAA) with the win.

The first inning was quick on both sides, but Wyatt Morgan recorded the first hit of the game in the second inning. Ethan Clark followed with a double to move Morgan to third, but the Hornets were able to escape the inning unharmed. 

With one out in the bottom of the third, Drew Townsend singled up the middle, later advancing to second on a hit and run opportunity. Will Doherty broke the scoreless tie, driving in Townsend on a single to left-center. 

The score stayed 1-0 until the seventh, as Drew Townsend sent one over the right field wall for a two-run home run. Henry Kusiak followed with a single up the middle, then scored on a Will Doherty double to right-center. After advancing to third on a ground out, Doherty scored on a sacrifice fly from Wyatt Morgan, making it a 5-0 game heading into the eighth. 

Kyle Moore entered in the eighth and retired the Hornets in order to finish out the game. He struck out two of the six batters he faced, throwing just 25 pitches between the two innings. 

Drew Townsend went 2-3 at the plate with a home run, driving in 2 runs, and scoring 2 himself. Will Doherty also picked up a couple hits and dove in a pair of runs as well. Cole Gayman tossed 7.0 shutout innings, giving up just 3 hits to secure the victory.  

The Lions and Hornets will square off again on Saturday, scheduled for a 1:00pm start.
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