Joplin, Mo. - Central Oklahoma and Missouri Southern were back at Warren Turner Field Sunday afternoon, playing in the deciding game three of the series. In similar fashion to Saturday's game, the Lions run ruled the Bronchos 17-6 to secure the series win with a statement. The Lions improve their win total to 30 on the year, taking a 30-9 (17-6 MIAA) record into their road stretch next week.

After a quick top half of the first, the Lions quickly got on the board thanks to a three-run home run by Garrett Rice. Henry Kusiak and Will Doherty were on base, as Kusiak reached on an infield single and Doherty was hit by a pitch. The visitors responded with four in the second and another in the third to take a 5-3 lead. 

Using the small ball method, the Lions cut the deficit in half as Will Doherty came home on a wild pitch in the third. The lead was regained by Missouri Southern in the fourth, thanks to a Nate Mieszkowski two-run shot to center field. 

Things really opened in the fifth, as Garrett Rice drove in two runs with a double to center, Drew Davis hit one up the middle to score Rice, and Drew Townsend capped things off with a two run single to right. Central Oklahoma scored one in the sixth, making it an 11-6 ball game. 

In the bottom of the seventh, the Lions scored one run on back-to-back-to-back plays. Henry Kusiak drove in Chayton Beck on a single, tying the MSSU career RBI record at 206. Will Doherty followed with a single, then Wyatt Morgan drove in Kusiak on a sacrifice fly, 14-6 Lions. 

Picking up where they left off, Tyler Ferguson led off the inning with a single to left. He advanced to third on a double by Drew Davis, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Nate Mieszkowski. Chayton Beck ended the game with a two-run homer to left center, making it a 17-6 final score. 

Michael Moore was credited with the win, pitching 4.0 innings. He gave up just 2 hits, no earned runs, and had 4 strikeouts. Garrett Rice had another 5 RBI day, going 2-5 at the plate with a double and a home run. Nate Mieszkowski was 1-3 with a home run and 3 RBI. Henry Kusiak is now one RBI from setting the program's career record, going 2-5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored on the day. Drew Townsend and Chayton Beck each had a pair of RBI in the win as well. 

The team will be on the road for their next four contests, first traveling to Claremore, Oklahoma to wrap up their spread out series with Rogers State. Over the weekend, they'll take on Northeastern State in a three game series. 
  Read Full Article