Edmond, Okla. - The Missouri Southern baseball team traveled to take on the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos in a conference matchup. The Bronchos took an early lead and maintained it throughout the game. A late surge by the Lions in the ninth inning, highlighted by a home run, brought the score within three runs, but Central Oklahoma held on for the 8-5 victory.
 
Missouri Southern (16-8, 9-5 MIAA) | Central Oklahoma (18-8, 8-6 MIAA)
In the first inning, the Bronchos took an early lead, setting the score at 2-0. Central Oklahoma added a run in the third inning, putting the score at 3-0.
 
Southern found momentum in the sixth inning when Ethan Clark tripled to right center. Brayden Luikart followed with an RBI groundout, allowing Clark to score and putting the score at 3-1.
 
The Bronchos increased their advantage in the seventh inning, making it 8-1.
 
In the eighth inning, the Lions added another run to their total as Ethan Clark homered to left field, bringing the score to 8-2.
 
The ninth inning saw a surge from Southern highlighted by Drew Townsend's three-run homer to right field, which brought in Cy Darnell and Treghan Parker. Central Oklahoma held their lead and took the game 8-5.
 
Drew Townsend drove in three RBIs and hit a home run. Ethan Clark recorded two runs, two hits, a triple, and a home run. Brayden Luikart added a hit and an RBI. The Linos tallied 10 hits.
 
Cole Gayman pitched 6.0 innings, striking out eight batters. Trent Harris faced 10 batters over one inning with two strikeouts. Lane Chapman pitched 1.0 inning, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter.

Stats Tracker

• Hits: Ethan Clark (2), Cy Darnell (2), Drew Townsend (1), Brayden Luikart (1), Jacob Filip (1), Nate Mieszkowski (1), Treghan Parker (1), Blake Jones (1)
• RBIs: Drew Townsend (3), Ethan Clark (1), Brayden Luikart (1)
• 3B: Ethan Clark (1)
• HR: Drew Townsend (1), Ethan Clark (1)
• Pitching:
  • Cole Gayman (L, 2-3): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO
  • Trent Harris: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO
  • Lane Chapman: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO

Up Next:
The Lions will be back in action on Saturday, March 22 when they take on the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos in game two. First pitch is set for 2:00 pm at Wendell Simmons Field.
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