Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball team faced off against Fort Hays State in a conference doubleheader. In game one, the Tigers struck first, taking an early lead, but timely hitting by the Lions turned the tide as Southern rallied and held on for the win. Game two saw the Lions come out strong, jumping to a quick lead and dominating from start to finish, capping the day with a 10-0 run-rule shutout.
Missouri Southern (32-16, 12-8 MIAA) | Fort Hays State (23-17, 8-12 MIAA)
Game one: Missouri Southern 2 | Fort Hays State 1
In the third inning, the Tigers managed to get on the board first with a run to lead 1–0.
The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning, when
Bailey Dillon walked and was brought home by a triple from
Kylee Jacks, tying the game at 1–1.
Taylor Nuckolls then reached first on an error by Fort Hays, allowing Jacks to score, pushing Southern ahead 2–1.
Kylee Jacks recorded a triple and drove in one run.
Taylor Nuckolls added an RBI and excelled defensively at shortstop, leading the team with nine assists. The Lions tallied three hits.
Kiki Pickens pitched a complete game and secured the win with a 17-5 record. Pickens allowed only one earned run over seven innings, scattering five hits and striking out three batters while issuing two walks.
Stats Tracker:
Game two: Missouri Southern 10 | Fort Hays State 0
Southern opened the scoring in the first inning, with
Bailey Dillon's bunt single setting the stage.
Kylee Jacks added an RBI triple, followed by
Katie Gray's groundout, allowing Jacks to score and putting the Lions up a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
In the second inning, Southern extended their lead.
Carsen Tinkler and
Kate Thurman contributed with singles, and
Kylee Jacks delivered a crucial double, driving in two runs.
Katie Gray added to the tally with a two-RBI single, bringing the score to 6-0.
The Lions extended their lead with
Bailey Dillon's single and a subsequent RBI single by
Taylor Nuckolls, along with
Hannah Duin's two-RBI double, pushed the lead to 9-0.
Maddie Rolfs capped off the inning with an RBI single, making it 10-0.
The Tigers were held scoreless throughout the game, and Southern secured a 10-0 win.
Kylee Jacks led the offensive charge, recording three runs, three hits, and three RBIs, including a double and a triple.
Taylor Nuckolls added a double and an RBI while stealing a base.
Bailey Dillon scored three runs on two hits.
Katie Gray drove in three RBIs on one hit.
Avery Tallman pitched a complete game shutout, allowing no earned runs over 5.0 innings. Tallman struck out five batters and permitted three hits, demonstrating control with only one walk issued over faced 20 batters.
Stats Tracker:
- Hits: Kylee Jacks (3), Bailey Dillon (2), Taylor Nuckolls (2), Katie Gray (1), Hannah Duin (1), Maddie Rolfs (1), Carsen Tinkler (1), Kate Thurman (1)
- RBIs Kylee Jacks (3), Katie Gray (3), Hannah Duin (2), Taylor Nuckolls (1), Maddie Rolfs (1)
- 2B: Kylee Jacks (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1), Hannah Duin (1)
- 3B: Kylee Jacks (1)
- SB: Kylee Jacks (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1), Ashlyn Hulett (1)
- Pitching:
Up next:
The Lions will return to their home field on Friday, April 18, when they host the University of Nebraska at Kearney Lopers. First pitch is set for 11:00 AM.
The Missouri Southern softball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
-Lions-
