Warrensburg, Mo. - For the final time this regular season, the Missouri Southern baseball team played a series opening contest. The Lions began their last series of the regular season Friday afternoon with a contest against the #2 team in the nation, Central Missouri. Despite the fight back after trailing early, MSSU fell short in the series opener, 7-4. They move to 36-12 (23-8 MIAA) on the season.
Central Missouri made the most of their opportunities early, scoring 2 runs in the first and another 4 runs in the second for a 6-0 lead. That score would remain through the third inning.
Getting things going in the fourth inning, Missouri Southern started the frame with back-to-back-to-back doubles, scoring a pair of runs.
Henry Kusiak got things going with one down the left field line, then came around to score on a two-bagger from
Will Doherty.
Garrett Rice followed with a double down the left field line as well, scoring Doherty.
That momentum carried into the fifth inning, as the Lions scored two more runs. With one out,
Drew Townsend launched one over the right field wall to make it 6-3. After another out was made,
Henry Kusiak kept the inning alive with an infield single. He then came around to score on
Will Doherty's second RBI double of the day.
Nate Mieszkowski and
Chayton Beck had singles in the sixth and seventh, but each inning would end with them stranded on base. The Lions had another opportunity in the eighth, but the Mules escaped the threat without allowing another run. UCM scored one more run in their half of the eighth, ending by a score of 7-4.
Will Doherty was 2-4 with 2 RBI, both hits going for extra bases.
Henry Kusiak also went 2-4, recording a double and 2 runs scored.
Drew Townsend had a home run in the contest and added another walk to his NCAA DII leading total.
Garrett Rice had an RBI double, and
Nate Mieszkowski finished 2-3 with a walk.
Game two of the series was moved up from the original time due to weather. First pitch for that contest is scheduled for 12:00pm on Saturday.
