Wichita, Kan. - The Missouri Southern baseball team hit the road for a conference showdown against the Newman University Jets. Trailing early, the Lions powered back with seven home runs, including a clutch three-run blast by Nate Mieszkowski in the ninth to tie the game. Southern then held the Jets scoreless the rest of the way, securing a 16-12 victory.
 
Missouri Southern (18-14, 11-11 MIAA) | Newman (8-23, 4-17 MIAA)
In the third inning, Southern broke the scoreless game with a solo home run by Jacob Filip to left field, giving the team a 1-0 lead. The inning continued with a Chayton Beck single to the shortstop, driving in Nate Mieszkowski and increasing the lead to 2-0.
 
Newman would even the score at the end of the third inning, 3-3.
 
The Lions added another run in the fourth inning when Blake Jones hit a solo home run to left field, extending their lead to 3-2. Newman responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs, shifting the score to 5-3.
 
During the sixth inning, the Lions added a solo home run to center field by Drew Townsend, making the score 4-3. The Jets would plate four runs, 9-4.
 
Blake Jones added his second home run of the game in the seventh inning with a two-run shot to center field, and making the score 9-6.
 
In the eighth inning, Southern added three runs, beginning with another home run by Jacob Filip, followed by a Jake Leeker two-run home run to left field, bringing the score to 9-9. Newman retook the lead with three runs, 12-9.
 
Nate Mieszkowski tied up the score with a three-run home run to the left field in the top of the ninth, 12-12.
 
The Lions continued their offensive surge when Cy Darnell singled then scored on a single by Drew Townsend, followed by a double from Brayden Luikart that brought Townsend home. Jacob Filip hit a double to right field, driving in two more runs and securing a final score of 16-12. 
 
Jacob Filip recorded four hits, including two home runs, and drove in four runs. Blake Jones hit two home runs and collected three RBIs. Nate Mieszkowski contributed with a home run and three RBIs while also scoring three runs. Drew Townsend added a home run and drove in two runs. The Lions tallied 16 hits and seven home runs.
 
Lane Chapman pitched 3 innings with one strikeout, and faced 15 batters. Walker Sweet faced three batters and Caden Carter pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out two. Kaylor Darnell recorded one out in 0.1 innings and Michael Moore pitched 0.2 innings, striking out two and facing four batters. Alex Baker pitched a full inning with no hits, striking out two batters. Laif Hultine pitched three innings earning the win, stricking out four and facing 15 batters.
 
Stats Tracker

• Hits: Jacob Filip (4), Drew Townsend (2), Nate Mieszkowski (2), Jake Leeker (2), Cy Darnell (2), Blake Jones (2), Chayton Beck (1), Brayden Luikart (1)
• RBI: Jacob Filip (4), Nate Mieszkowski (3), Blake Jones (3), Drew Townsend (2), Jake Leeker (2), Brayden Luikart (1), Chayton Beck (1)
• 2B: Brayden Luikart (1); Jacob Filip (1)
• HR: Drew Townsend (1); Jacob Filip (2); Nate Mieszkowski (1); Jake Leeker (1); Blake Jones (2)
• SB: Cy Darnell (2)
• HBP: Brayden Luikart (1); Jacob Filip (1); Nate Mieszkowski (1)
• Pitching:
  • Lane Chapman: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 SO
  • Walker Sweet: 0.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB,
  • Caden Carter: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 SO
  • Kaylor Darnell: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB,
  • Michael Moore: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
  • Alex Baker: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
  • Laif Hultine (W, 3-1): 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 SO 

Up Next:
The Lions will be on the road on Saturday, April 5, when they take on the Missouri Western State University. First pitch is set for 4:00 PM at Griffon Baseball Field.