Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball team (29-12, 9-5 MIAA) is set to travel to Kansas for back-to-back conference doubleheaders against Emporia State on Friday, April 12, and Washburn on Saturday, April 13.

April 12

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Emporia State
First Pitch: 3:00 PM
Location: Emporia, Kan.
Site: Turnbull Field

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Emporia State
First Pitch: 5:00 PM
Location: Emporia, Kan.
Site: Turnbull Field

April 13

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs #23 Washburn
First Pitch: 12:00 PM
Location: Topeka, Kan.
Site: Gahnstrom Field

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs #23 Washburn
First Pitch: 2:00 PM
Location: Topeka, Kan.
Site: Gahnstrom Field

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 29-12 (9-5 MIAA) start to their season. Previously, the Lions traveled to conference rival #10 Pittsburg State where the Lions dropped both games (8-1 and 12-4 /5 inn.). Previous to the Gorillas, the Lions hosted back-to-back conference doubleheaders, which both ended in sweeps for the Lions, against Fort Hays State (5-2 and 4-3) and Nebraska-Kearney (14-0 /5 inn. and 8-0 /5 inn.). 
Taylor Nuckolls leads the Lions in batting average with a .398 and RBIs with 37 total. The Lions run leader is Yazmin Vargas with 39, and the hit leader is Kylee Jacks with 43. In the circle, Kiki Pickens has thrown the most innings with 101.2 and has a 2.07 ERA and has 95 strikeouts.

Scouting the Hornets 
The Hornets of Emporia State have had a 26-17 (10-10 MIAA) start to their season. Recently, the Hornets competed in back-to-back conference doubleheaders on the road, first splitting a series at Fort Hays State (6-0 and 4-5 /8 inn.) and then also splitting with Nebraska Kearney (4-3 and 6-8). Previous to the road trip, the Hornets split two more series at home against Missouri Western (2-3 and 8-5) and Northwest Missouri (7-3 and 1-2).

Alexis Dial leads the Hornets in batting average with a .436, hits with 58, RBIs with 48 and homeruns with eight. Lexi Williams and Abbey Ward both lead the Hornets in runs with 38. In the circle, Gracie Rabe has thrown the most innings with 95.1 and has a 2.79 ERA and has 55 strikeouts.

Scouting the Ichabods 
The #23 Ichabods of Washburn have had a 34-10 (15-5 MIAA) start to their season. Currently, the Ichabods are on a 11-game win streak with recent sweeps on the road over Nebraska Kearney (8-0 /5 inn. and 3-0) and Fort Hays State (13-6 and 2-0). Previous to the road trip, the Ichabods swept Northwest Missouri (3-1 and 6-0) and Missouri Western (1-0 and 2-0) at home.

Jaycee Ginter leads the Ichabods in batting average with a .432. Ginter is also the Ichabods current hit and RBI leader with 51 hits and 36 RBIs. Marriott Mead leads the Ichabods in runs with 38. In the circle, Sadie Walker has thrown the most innings with 140.0 and has a 1.10 ERA and has 130 strikeouts.