Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball team hosted the 21^st Annual Teri Mathis-Zenner MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament. On day one, Southern went up against the Minnesota State University – Moorhead Dragons in a doubleheader. In game one the Lions took control in the fifth inning and secured their victory. In game two Southern explodes for a 10-run inning to take down the Minnesota State– Moorhead in five innings.
 
Missouri Southern (19-9, 3-1 MIAA) | Minnesota State– Moorhead (7-16, 0-0 NSIC)
 
Game one: Missouri Southern 8 | Minnesota State– Moorhead - 2
Missouri Southern opened the scoring in the third inning when Kylee Jacks doubled to center field, bringing in Bailey Dillon for the game's first run. Jacks then showcased speed on the bases, stealing third and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Katie Gray, putting the Lions up 2-0.
 
In the fourth inning, the Dragons responded with two runs of their own and tied the game at 2-2. Southern regained control in the fifth inning with Taylor Nuckolls's single and scored on a fielder choice from Kylee Jacks. Maddie Rolfs capped the inning with a three-RBI triple, pushing the lead to 6-2.
 
Continuing their momentum into the sixth inning, Southern added two more runs. Ashlyn Hulett and Taylor Nuckolls reached base with bunts, and both eventually scored, extending the lead to 8-2. The defense then held firm, allowing no further runs from Minnesota State—Moorhead, securing the victory with a final score of 8-2.
 
Kylee Jacks recorded two runs, two hits, and two RBIs while securing a double and stealing two bases. Maddie Rolfs was a key player, with a notable triple that drove in three RBIs. Taylor Nuckolls had two runs and two hits. The Lions tallied 13 hits.
 
Avery Tallman started for the Lions and pitched 3.1 innings, striking out two batters, walking none, and facing 13 batters. NaTalia Sewell contributed 3.2 innings, giving up five hits and one walk with no earned runs while striking out four and securing a save.
 
Stats Tracker:

• Hits: Bailey Dillon (2), Kylee Jacks (2), Katie Gray (2), Cady Dickey (2), Taylor Nuckolls (2), Maddie Rolfs (1), Kate Thurman (1), Ashlyn Hulett (1)
• RBIs: Maddie Rolfs (3), Kylee Jacks (2), Katie Gray (2)
• 2B: Kylee Jacks (1), Kate Thurman (1)
• 3B: Maddie Rolfs (1)
• SF: Katie Gray (1)
• SB: Kylee Jacks (2)
• HBP: Emily Perry (1)
• Pitching:
  • Avery Tallman (W, 7-3): 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
  • NaTalia Sewell (S, 1): 3.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO

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Game two: Missouri Southern 13 | Minnesota State– Moorhead 3 – 5 innings
In the first inning, the Dragons took an early lead, giving them a 3-0 advantage.
 
Southern responded in the second inning, cutting into the deficit with a run-scoring double by Easton Walter, making the score 3-1.
 
In the third inning, the Lions continued their momentum. Bailey Dillon led off with a double and later scored on a two-run home run by Katie Gray, tying the game at 3-3.
 
The fourth inning saw Southern seize control. Bailey Dillon contributed a two-run double, and Kylee Jacks followed with an RBI single. Taylor Nuckolls stole home, followed by a sacrifice fly from Cady Dickey. Easton Walter and Tuckolls added RBI singles, the inning would be capped by a Dillon two-run double, putting the Lions ahead 13-4.
 
Southern maintained their lead, while Kadence Janney effectively closed the game in the fifth inning. The game concluded with a final score of 13-4.
 
Bailey Dillon had four RBIs, hitting two doubles and one triple. Katie Gray hit a home run and collected two RBIs. Easton Walter had three hits, including a double and two RBIs. Cady Dickey had one double and one RBI. The Lions tallied 15 hits.
 
Lily Rand pitched 1.0 inning while striking out one batter. Lauren Fuller stepped in for 3.0 innings, giving up three hits and one run and recording one strikeout. Kadence Janney contributed an inning of relief, facing three batters with no hits allowed and one strikeout.
 
Stats Tracker:

• Hits: Bailey Dillon (3), Cady Dickey (2), Katie Gray (2), Kylee Jacks (2), Carsen Tinkler (1), Maddie Rolfs (1), Easton Walter (1)
• RBIs: Katie Gray (3), Cady Dickey (2), Maddie Rolfs (1)
• 2B: Bailey Dillon (2), Cady Dickey (1), Carsen Tinkler (1), Easton Walter (1)
• 3B: Bailey Dillon (1)
• HR: Katie Gray (1)
• SH: Maddie Rolfs (1)
• SF: Cady Dickey (1)
• SB: Bailey Dillon (2), Kylee Jacks (2)
• Pitching:
  • Lily Rand: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
  • Lauren Fuller (W, 1-0): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
  • Kadence Janney: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

Up next:
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, March 15, at the 2025 Teri Mathis-Zenner MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament. On day two of the event, they will face off in a doubleheader against the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
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