Wichita, Kan. - The Missouri Southern baseball team faced off against the Newman University Jets in a conference matchup. Southern rallied with a seven-run inning to take the lead, but Newman responded. The Lions erupted for 11 runs in the seventh to regain the advantage. After the Jets tied it in the ninth, Southern retook control in the 12th for the win.
 
The five-hour, 12-inning win established a new record for the most runs in a DII baseball game this season, breaking the previous record of 48, now set at 49.
 
Missouri Southern (15-8, 8-5 MIAA) | Newman (8-15, 4-10 MIAA)
Newman scored in the first inning, taking a 3-0 lead.
 
Southern's offense erupted in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs to seize the lead. It began with a walk from Treghan Parker, and key hits from Drew Townsend and Ethan Clark followed. Clark's double drove in three runs, then a hit-by-pitch from Nate Mieszkowski and Parker set up a Blake Jones sacrifice fly, giving the Lions a 7-3 lead.
 
The Jets would extend their lead through the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, 13-7.
 
In the seventh inning, the Lions reclaimed the lead and built on it with an explosive 11-run outburst. Ethan Clark launched a grand slam, followed by Brayden Luikart's solo homer and Jake Leeker's second grand slam. Southern capitalized on multiple walks and hit-by-pitches, finishing the inning with an 18-13 advantage.
 
Southern added five more runs in the ninth inning, with Blake Jones hitting a double that cleared the bases, increasing their lead to 24-14. The Jets responded in the bottom of the inning with a 10-run rally, pushing the game to extra innings.
 
In the 12th inning, the Lions edged the Jets as Cy Darnell doubled to left field and scored on a Brayden Luikart single to take a 25-24 lead. Southern held strong defensively to secure the win.
 
Ethan Clark drove in seven runs with three hits, including a grand slam and two doubles. Blake Jones contributed five RBIs from one hit, a double, and two walks. Jake Leeker drove in four runs on a grand slam and a walk. Drew Townsend added three hits, three RBIs, and a home run. Brayden Luikart contributed four hits and two RBIs, including a home run. The Lions tallied 20 hits, with two grand slams and two home runs. 
 
Owen Schneider started the game for the Lions, pitching just 0.1 innings. Michael Moore followed by pitching 2.2 innings, striking out three batters. Trent Harris pitched 0.1 innings. Caden Carter managed to strike out three batters over 1.1 innings. Walker Sweet pitched 1.1 innings, striking out one. Casey Stalzer added 2.0 innings, Brandon Overman pitched for 0.1 innings, and Kaylor Darnell and Cole White appeared on the mound. Laif Hultine entered the game for 3.2 innings and would earn the win, allowing no runs, no hits, and striking out four.

Stats Tracker

• Hits: Brayden Luikart (4), Drew Townsend (3), Treghan Parker (3), Ethan Clark (3), Jake Leeker (2), Jacob Filip (2), Cy Darnell (2), Blake Jones (1)
• RBIs: Ethan Clark (7), Blake Jones (5), Jake Leeker (4), Drew Townsend (3), Brayden Luikart (2), Nate Mieszkowski (2), Treghan Parker (2)
• 2B: Ethan Clark (2), Blake Jones (1), Jake Leeker (1), Cy Darnell (2)
• HR: Drew Townsend (1), Ethan Clark (1), Brayden Luikart (1), Jake Leeker (1)
• SF: Blake Jones (1)
• HBP: Ethan Clark (1), Jacob Filip (1), Nate Mieszkowski (1), Treghan Parker (1), Blake Jones (2), Cy Darnell (1)
• Pitching:
  • Owen Schneider: 0.1 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 H
  • Michael Moore: 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 2 H
  • Trent Harris: 0.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 H
  • Caden Carter: 1.1 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 2 H
  • Walker Sweet: 1.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 2 H
  • Casey Stalzer: 2.0 IP, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 4 H
  • Brandon Overman: 0.1 IP, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 H
  • Kaylor Darnell: 0.0 IP, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 H
  • Cole White: 0.0 IP, 1 ER, 0 BB,1 H
  • Laif Hultine (W, 2-1): 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 4 H

Up Next:
The Lions will be back in action on Friday, March 21 when they travel to Edmond, Okla., to take on the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos. First pitch is set for 5:00 pm at Wendell Simmons Field.
  Read Full Article