Branson, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball team traveled to Branson, Mo to compete in the Branson Showtime Tournament. The Lions took down the Truman State University Bulldogs in five innings, 8-0. Southern came back to take down the Lincoln University Blue Tigers in six innings, 10-0.
 
Game 1: Missouri Southern (11-7) vs. Truman State (12-10)
W, 8-0
In the first inning, Southern took an early lead with a strong offensive showing. Bailey Dillon's triple to center field set the stage, followed by Kylee Jacks' RBI single to bring home the first run. Katie Gray then doubled, allowing Jacks to score, and Emma Perry's single drove in Gray, concluding the inning with a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Lions maintained the offensive momentum in the second inning. After Bailey Dillon reached base on a Bulldogs error, Kylee Jacks delivered a two-run homer to center field, increasing the lead. Katie Gray followed with a solo home run, extending the advantage to 6-0.
 
In the fourth inning, Bailey Dillon was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Katie Gray contributed with a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing Dillon home and adding another run to the scoreboard, 7-0.
 
The fifth inning saw Ashlyn Hulett pinch hit and walk, later stealing second. Taylor Nuckolls then reached on a sacrifice bunt, which allowed Hulett to score, sealing the game at 8-0.
 
Bailey Dillon recording three runs, a triple, and two stolen bases. Kylee Jacks contributed tallying two hits, including a home run, and driving in three runs. Katie Gray had three RBIs and adding a home run and a double.
 
On the mound, Kiki Pickens delivered a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits over five innings while striking out four, while facing 17 batters.
 
Stats Tracker

• Hits: Kylee Jacks (2), Katie Gray (2), Bailey Dillon (1), Emily Perry (1), Easton Walter (1)
• RBI: Kylee Jacks (3), Katie Gray (3), Emily Perry (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• Batting
• 2B: Katie Gray (1)
• 3B: Bailey Dillon (1)
• HR: Kylee Jacks (1); Katie Gray (1)
• SF: Katie Gray (1)
• SB: Bailey Dillon (2); Kylee Jacks (1); Emma Mason (2); Ashlyn Hulett (1)
• HBP: Bailey Dillon (1)
• Pitchers:
  • Kiki Pickens: 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 SO, 0 Walks

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Game 2: Missouri Southern (12-7) vs. Lincoln (6-8)
W, 10-0
 
In the first inning, Missouri Southern took an early lead with Bailey Dillon doubling and advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kylee Jacks. Katie Gray then drove in Dillon with a sacrifice fly to center field, giving the Lions a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Lions extend their lead to 2-0 in the third inning. After Bailey Dillon was hit by a pitch, Kylee Jacks singled to move her to second. Dillon came around to score on a Blue Tigers error.
 
A pivotal fourth inning increased Southern lead to 6-0. Carsen Tinkler reached on an error and later scored on a triple by Taylor Nuckolls. The inning was highlighted by a three-run homer from Kylee Jacks, bringing home Nuckolls and Dillon.
 
In the sixth inning, the Lions scored three more runs to secure a commanding 10-0 lead. Katie Gray tripled to start the inning, scoring on a single by Ashlyn Hulett. Additional runs came from a groundout RBI by Emma Mason and a sacrifice fly by Easton Walter. The Blue Tigers were held scoreless throughout the game, as Southern completed the shutout with a 10-0 victory.
 
Kylee Jacks recording three RBIs and hitting a home run in her three at-bats. Bailey Dillon scored three runs on two hits, including a double, and securing a stolen base. Ashlyn Hulett contributed with two hits, one RBI, and a stolen base as a pinch hitter.
 
Avery Tallman pitched a complete game shutout over six innings, allowing only three hits and striking out three batters while facing 23.
 
Stats Tracker

• RBIs: Kylee Jacks (3), Emma Mason (2), Katie Gray (1), Ashlyn Hulett (1), Easton Walter (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• Hits: Bailey Dillon (2), Kylee Jacks (2), Ashlyn Hulett (2), Katie Gray (1), Hannah Duin (1), Emma Mason (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• 2B: Bailey Dillon (1); Emma Mason (1)
• 3B: Katie Gray (1); Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• HR: Kylee Jacks (1)
• SH: Kylee Jacks (1); Easton Walter (1)
• SF: Katie Gray (1); Easton Walter (1)
• SB: Bailey Dillon (1); Ashlyn Hulett (1)
• HBP: Bailey Dillon (1); Katie Gray (1); Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• Pitching:
  • Avery Tallman: 6.0 IP, 3 SO, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 Walks

Up Next:
The Lions will continue to day three of the Branson Showtime Tournament on Sunday, March 2. They will face the Winona State University Warriors at 10:30 PM.
   
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