Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball team hosted the 21^st Annual Teri Mathis-Zenner MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament. On day two, Southern went up against the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears in a doubleheader. The Lions shutout the Golden Bears in game one, holding them to one hit and secured the 3-0 win. Game two. kick off with the Lions getting on the board first, they maintained their advantage for the 5-2 win. 
 
Missouri Southern (21-9, 3-1 MIAA) | Concordia-St. Paul (8-15, 0-0 NSIC)
 
Game one: Missouri Southern 3 | Concordia-St. Paul 0
In the first inning, the Lions took an early lead against the Golden Bears with a home run by Emily Perry. Perry's three-run shot to left field brought in Kylee Jacks and Bailey Dillon, who had previously reached base on walks, establishing a 3-0 scoreline.
 
Southern held their advantage and secured the 3-0 victory.
 
Emily Perry drove in three runs with a home run. Kylee Jacks added a hit for the Lions two hits.
 
Kiki Pickens delivered an outstanding performance on the mound for the Lions pitching a complete game shutout in 7 innings. Pickens allowed only one hit and issued just one walk, while striking out 11 batters. This effort marks Pickens' 10th win of the season.
 
Stats Tracker:

• Hits: Emily Perry (1), Kylee Jacks (1)
• RBIs: Emily Perry (3)
• HR: Emily Perry (1)
• SB: Bailey Dillon (1)
• CS: Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• HBP: Carsen Tinkler (1), Hannah Duin (1)
• Pitching:
  • Kiki Pickens (W, 10-3): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 SO,

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Game two: Missouri Southern 5 | Concordia-St. Paul 2
In the second inning, Southern broke the stalemate when Cady Dickey singled to left field, and Lily Rand entered as a pinch runner. Kate Thurman then singled to left field, driving in Rand and giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
 
Missouri Southern extended their advantage in the fifth inning. Ashlyn Hulett walked, and a fielder's choice by Bailey Dillon allowed Hulett to score. Kylee Jacks followed with a bunt single, bringing in another run, and Katie Gray's sacrifice fly to center field added one more, pushing the lead to 4-0.
 
In the sixth inning, the Lions added another run when Peyton Hawkins singled to left field, driving in Maddie Rolfs and extending the lead to 5-1.

Kylee Jacks recorded one hit and one RBI, while Taylor Nuckolls had a double and a walk, scoring one run.

Avery Tallman pitched 5.2 innings, allowing one earned run on six hits while striking out three and facing 25 batters. NaTalia Sewell came in for 1.1 innings, striking out two and facing seven batters, earning her third save of the season.
 
Stats Tracker:

• Hits: Kylee Jacks (1), Kate Thurman (1), Peyton Hawkins (1), Cady Dickey (1), Maddie Rolfs (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• RBIs: Bailey Dillon (1), Kylee Jacks (1), Katie Gray (1), Kate Thurman (1), Peyton Hawkins (1)
• 2B: Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• SH: Kate Thurman (1)
• SF: Katie Gray (1)
• SB: Ashlyn Hulett (1)
• HBP: Hannah Duin (1)
• Pitching:
  • Avery Tallman (W, 9-3): 5.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 SO
  • NaTalia Sewell (S, 3): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

Up next:
The Lions will return to action on Sunday, March 16, at the 2025 Teri Mathis-Zenner MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament. On day three of the event, they will face off in a doubleheader against the Northern State University Wolves. The first pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
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