Joplin, Mo. - The Lions competed against the #5 Bronchos of Central Oklahoma at home for the first of the final two regular season doubleheaders. A comeback win for an upset began the day for the Lions as the Bronchos secured game two for a split series. The Lions advance to 31-20 (11-13 MIAA) on the season.
Missouri Southern vs. Central Oklahoma - Game One
W, 5-3
The #5 Bronchos had a loud start to game one with a lead-off homerun and an RBI single as they began the game with a 2-0 lead. The Lions offense had a slow start as they remained scoreless through the first three innings. The Bronchos added to their lead with their second homerun of the game to take a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth.
Katie Gray was the first Lion to respond with a solo homerun in the fourth to narrow the deficit to 3-1. The Lions loaded the bases in the fifth inning for a two-RBI single from
Kara Amos to tie the game at 3-3.
Katie Gray was the next to bat and drove a single down the left field line that scored the other two base runners and gave the Lions a 5-3 lead over the nationally-ranked Bronchos. The Lions defense stepped up big and only allowed one Broncho to get on base in the final two innings as the Lions pulled off a huge upset in game one over the #5 Bronchos, 5-3.
Lily Rand (3-3) picked up the win for the Lions and pitched a complete 7.0 innings and gave up six hits and three runs while striking out three of the 30 batters she faced in the win.
Missouri Southern vs. Central Oklahoma - Game Two
L, 6-0
The Bronchos began game two with another 2-0 lead in the first inning. Just like game one, neither team added a run until the Bronchos scored another run in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. Unlike game one, the Lions could not answer before the Bronchos added three more unanswered runs in the sixth inning to win game two over Southern, 6-0.
Up Next
The Missouri Southern Softball team will be back in Joplin for Senior Day against Newman on Saturday, April 27 for the final doubleheader of the regular season at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
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