Edmond, Okla. - The number nine seeded Missouri Southern Lions continued their MIAA Tournament run against the number one seeded Hillcats of Rogers State. After giving up three runs in the first inning, the Lions had many chances to bring the game back but ultimately could only score one as the Lions were eliminated from the MIAA Tournament, falling 3-1 to the Hillcats. The Lions end their 2024 season with a record of 33-22 (12-14 MIAA).

Missouri Southern vs. Rogers State - MIAA Softball Championship (Quarterfinals)
L, 3-1

The Lions began the game on offense and were not able to reach a base before three outs brought out the number 12 team in the country to bat in the bottom half of the first. After a leadoff double and a couple walks and a run, Kiki Pickens relieved Lily Rand in the circle before the Hillcats were able to score two more runs before a strikeout ended the first inning as the Lions trailed early, 3-0. After being retired in order once again on offense, the Lions defense held the Hillcats to only a single and a walk before getting a third out to keep the Lions deficit at 3-0 through two innings. After a pair of lineouts, Adrianna Young was the first Lion to get into the hit column with a single before a flyout stranded her on base. Kara Amos stepped into the circle to begin the bottom of the third inning for Pickens. The Lions defense continued to keep the game in reach as they only allowed one hit that was left on base before ending the third inning.

Yazmin Vargas began the fourth inning with a walk, but was left on base as two flyouts and a groundout ended the top half of the inning. Every Lion outfielder made a catch for the three outs to close the fourth inning with the same Hillcat lead, 3-0. Abby DeSanto began the fifth inning with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a Carsen Tinkler groundout to second base. Unfortunately for the Lions, a lineout and a pop up in foul territory that was caught stranded DeSanto from scoring as the Hillcats prepared for their half of the fifth. Kara Amos was dealing on the mound, picking up two strikeouts and a groundout to end the fifth inning.

Kylee Jacks and Yazmin Vargas led the sixth off with two consecutive singles to put base runners on first and second base with zero outs. An unfortunate double play only left Vargas on first with two outs as Kara Amos stepped up and singled to center field to drive in Yazmin Vargas. A ground out ended the top of the sixth as the Lions narrowed their deficit to 3-1. The Hillcats had a big start to the bottom half of the sixth with a walk and a double, putting runners on second and third with no out. Amos and the Lions defense stepped up and forced three straight pop-ups in the infield that were caught to leave the runners on base as the Lions had one more chance to make up the two run deficit. Abby DeSanto continued to show up big in the MIAA tournament with a lead off single, to which Carsen Tinkler followed with a single of her own to put runners on first and third with no outs. The Hillcats then struck out two consecutive Lions and got a fly out to win the quarterfinal game and eliminate the Lions, 3-1.

The Lions likely wrap up their historic 2024 season with 33 wins on the season. The Lions set a new stolen base program record with 132 stolen bases in 150 attempts which also led the MIAA. The team had an outstanding year defensively, posting a 0.968 fielding percentage which is second best percentage in program history. The Lions led the MIAA in hit-by-pitches with 47. Yazmin Vargas set the new program records in runs (167) and stolen bases (130) and had the second most stolen bases in a season in program history with 40. Kylee Jacks had an incredible first year as a Lion as she climbed all the way to second in single season runs in program history with 49. 

We at Missouri Southern will dearly miss our three Lion Softball Seniors, Adrianna Young, Kara Amos and Yazmin Vargas, and wish them the best in their future endeavors. 
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