Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Softball team hosted the 21
st Annual Teri Mathis-Zenner MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament. On the final day Southern went up against the Northern State University Wolves in a doubleheader. The Lions shut out the Wolves in both games and ended them in run-rule victories.
Missouri Southern (23-9, 3-1 MIAA) | Northern State (6-15, 0-0 NSIC)
Game one: Missouri Southern 8 | Northern State 0 – 6 innings
Southern jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when
Bailey Dillon and
Kylee Jacks reached base, setting the stage for
Katie Gray's three-run homer to left field, making it 3-0.
The Lions kept the momentum going in the second inning.
Peyton Hawkins led off with a single, and after a fielder's choice and a bunt single by
Bailey Dillon,
Katie Gray ripped a double up the middle to drive in two more runs.
Emily Perry followed with an RBI single, stretching the lead to 6-0.
In the fourth, Southern extended their lead to 7-0.
Hannah Duin walked and advanced to third on a single by
Emily Perry before
Maddie Rolfs drove in Duin with a single to left.
Kylee Jacks reached base and advanced to third with back-to-back steals. After
Hannah Duin and
Emily Perry were both hit by pitches to load the bases,
Maddie Rolfs reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Jacks to score and seal the 8-0 win.
Katie Gray hit a home run and a double, driving in five runs. Additionally,
Maddie Rolfs recorded one hit and two RBIs, while
Emily Perry added two hits, one RBI, and a stolen base.
Kiki Pickens delivered a complete-game shutout performance allowing only two hits over six innings. She allowed just two hits over six innings, striking out three and walking one. Pickens faced 21 batters to secure the win, improving her record to 11-3.
Stats Tracker:
Game two: Missouri Southern 8 | Northern State 0 – 5 innings
Missouri Southern opened the game with a strong offensive display, scoring four runs. Katie Gray walked and later advanced to third, setting up Emily Perry and Cady Dickey, who also got on base. Carsen Tinkler then hit a key single, driving in two runs. Kate Thurman followed with a double that brought two more runners home, establishing a 4-0 lead.
In the second inning, the Lions added three more runs. Taylor Nuckolls and Bailey Dillon both reached base with bunts, and a fielder's choice allowed Katie Gray to reach first while bringing in two runs. Bailey Dillon scored on a wild pitch, and Cady Dickey hit a crucial double to drive in two more, extending the lead to 7-0.
Emily Perry was hit by a pitch, Ashlyn Hulett pinch-ran, and successfully stole both second and third base, eventually scoring. Maddie Rolfs also advanced on a steal, but the inning concluded with the team adding just one more run to make it 8-0 at the end of the fifth inning.
Throughout the game, the Wolves were unable to score against Missouri Southern's effective pitching and defense.
Cady Dickey recorded a double and two RBIs, with Kate Thurman adding a double and driving in two runs. Carsen Tinkler tallied two RBIs, one hit, and two walks.
Kadence Janney pitched a complete game shutout for Missouri Southern, allowing just one hit over five innings while striking out five batters. Janney faced 16 batters and maintained a perfect 0.20 WHIP, with no walks issued. Janney's performance improved her season record to 3-3.
Stats Tracker:
Up next:
The Lions will return to action on Friday, March 21, when they host the Washburn University Ichabods. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
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