Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball team (29-16, 9-9 MIAA) wraps up their road trip with back-to-back conference doubleheaders against Missouri Western on Friday, April 19, and Northwest Missouri on Saturday, April 20.

April 19

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Missouri Western
First Pitch: 2:00 PM
Location: St. Joseph, Mo.
Site: Griffon Spring Sports Complex

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Missouri Western
First Pitch: 4:00 PM
Location: St. Joseph, Mo.
Site: Griffon Spring Sports Complex

April 20

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Northwest Missouri
First Pitch: 12:00 PM
Location: Maryville, Mo.
Site: Bearcat Softball Field

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Northwest Missouri
First Pitch: 2:00 PM
Location: Maryville, Mo.
Site: Bearcat Softball 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 has had a 29-16 (9-9 MIAA) start to their season. Currently, the Lions are on a six game losing streak on the road after facing two nationally ranked opponents in #10 Pittsburg State and #23 Washburn, as well as Emporia State, in doubleheaders. Previous to the road trip, 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 .379 and RBIs with 39 total. The Lions run leaders are Yazmin Vargas and Kylee Jacks with 40, and the hit leader is Kylee Jacks with 48. In the circle, Kiki Pickens has thrown the most innings with 111.2 and has a 2.01 ERA and has 105 strikeouts.

Scouting the Griffons 
The Griffons of Missouri Western have had a 25-15 (9-9 MIAA) start to their season. Recently, The Griffons were on the road where they swept Illinois Springfield (7-5 and 9-0) and split with Northwest Missouri (0-3 and 5-0). Prior to Illinois Springfield, the Griffons hosted Northeastern State and #3 Rogers State where they swept the Riverhawks (6-2 and 5-1) and lost both to the Hillcats.

Myah Dwyer leads the Griffons in batting average with a .346, hits with 45 and RBIs with 28. Kalee Higdon leads the Griffons in runs with 26. In the circle, Sydney Rader has thrown the most innings with 127.2 and has a 2.04 ERA and has 111 strikeouts.

Scouting the Bearcats 
The Bearcats of Northwest Missouri have had a 20-22 (9-9 MIAA) start to their season. Previously, the Bearcats began a 12 game homestand with two losses to #3 Rogers State (3-11 and 2-4), a sweep over Northeastern State (9-1 and 10-2) and splitting the series with Missouri Western (3-0 and 0-5).

Lillie Filger leads the Bearcats in batting average with a .432, runs with 34 and hits with 66. Lauren Gray and Abby Nolte are tied for RBI leader with 27. In the circle, Jadyn Streigle has thrown the most innings with 93.0 and has a 2.48 ERA and has 38 strikeouts.