Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Softball team hosted the Emporia State University Hornets in a conference matchup. In Game one, the Lions took control early and shut out the Hornets, with a strong performance from
Kiki Pickens in the circle. Game two remained tied until the sixth inning when the Lions seized the lead. The Hornets battled back, tying the game and secured a 6-3 victory in extra innings.
Emily Perry sets a new MSSU single-season hit-by-pitch record in game two against Emporia State, surpassing the previous mark of 13 set by Leighton Withers in 2023. The new record is now 14.
Missouri Southern (25-11, 5-3 MIAA) | Emporia State (22-10, 3-3 MIAA)
Game one: Missouri Southern 4 | Emporia State 0
The Lions broke the deadlock in the third inning and took the lead.
Bailey Dillon singled to left field and scored on
Kylee Jacks' single to right field.
Katie Gray followed with a single to center field, driving in Jack and bringing the score to 2-0.
The momentum continued in the fourth inning when
Taylor Nuckolls hit a triple to right center, allowing
Lily Rand, who pinch ran, to score. This increased the lead to 3-0.
In the sixth inning, Southern added another run to their tally.
Ashlyn Hulett, pinch-running for
Carsen Tinkler, stole second base and scored on the double by
Easton Walter. The Lions would hold on to their advantage and take the game 4-0.
Bailey Dillon recorded two stolen bases and reached base twice via hit-by-pitch.
Kylee Jacks had two hits, including an RBI and a run scored.
Easton Walter hit a double and drove in a run.
Taylor Nuckolls contributed with a triple and an RBI. The Lions tallied eight hits.
Kiki Pickens delivered a dominant performance, pitching a complete game shutout over 7.0 innings. Pickens allowed just two hits while striking out 12 batters and did not issue any walks over the 23 batters.
Stats Tracker:
Game two: Missouri Southern 3 | Emporia State 6
Both teams remained scoreless until the sixth inning when the Lions scored two runs.
Kate Thurman doubled to center field, driving in
Katie Gray and
Emily Perry and giving the team a 2-0 lead.
In the seventh, the Hornets responded with three runs, but Missouri Southern State answered back with
Bailey Dillon doubling and then scoring on a single by
Katie Gray, bringing the score to 3-3 and sending the game to extra innings.
Emporia State took the lead in the eighth inning, resulting in a final score of 6-3.
Kate Thurman was a key contributor with two hits, including a double and two RBIs.
Katie Gray also had two hits, one run, one RBI, and a walk.
Bailey Dillon contributed two hits and a double in her lone appearance.
Carsen Tinkler added a hit and a double. The Lions totaled 10 hits.
Avery Tallman pitched 5.0 innings, striking out two batters.
NaTalia Sewell threw 1.2 innings, recording one strikeout.
Kadence Janney pitched 0.1 innings and also struck out one batter.
Lauren Fuller tossed 0.1 innings, and
Kiki Pickens closed the game with 0.2 innings, facing three batters.
Stats Tracker:
- Hits: Bailey Dillon (2), Katie Gray (2), Kate Thurman (2), Kylee Jacks (1), Emily Perry (1), Carsen Tinkler (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1)
- RBIs: Kate Thurman (2), Katie Gray (1)
- 2B: Bailey Dillon (1), Carsen Tinkler (1), Kate Thurman (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1)
- SH: Bailey Dillon (1)
- SB: Emily Perry (1)
- HBP: Emily Perry (1)
- Pitching:
- Avery Tallman: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
- NaTalia Sewell (L, 0-1): 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
- Kadence Janney: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
- Lauren Fuller: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB
- Kiki Pickens: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB
Up next:
The Lions will take to the road on Saturday, March 22, when they take on the Northeastern State University RiverHawks. First pitch is set for 12:00 PM at the RiverHawks Park.
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