Joplin, Mo. The Missouri Southern baseball team hosts the Rogers State University Hillcats in a conference match-up in the annual Joe Becker Throwback game. The annual game honors the historic venue where the team played before the opening of Warren Turner Field in 2015. The Hillcats jumped to an early lead, and the Lions fought to close the gap but fell 10-4.
 
Missouri Southern (23-22, 15-16 MIAA) | Rogers State (26-17, 16-15 MIAA)
The Hillcats took an early lead in the first inning for a 2-0 score.
 
In the second inning, Rogers State added two runs, 4-0. Southern would answer and put one run on the board with Ethan Clark singling to a shortstop, scored on Treghan Parker's single, 4-1.
 
Two runs for the Hillcats would plate in the third inning. The Lions responded with two runs. Cy Darnell and Drew Townsend set the stage with consecutive hits before Brayden Luikart drove both runners home with a single to center field, bringing the score to 6-3.
 
Rogers State would add runs in the fourth and fifth innings, 9-3.
 
In the ninth inning, the Hillcats plated their final run, 10-3. In the bottom of the inning, the Lions added a run. Cy Darnell singled, stole second, and scored on Drew Townsend's single down the left field line, concluding the game with a final score of 10-4.
 
Drew Townsend stood out for Missouri Southern State, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI. With his three hits, Townsend has now reached 151 career hits, surpassing the 150-hit milestone. Brayden Luikart drove in two runs on a hit. Cy Darnell showed versatility with two hits, two runs scored, and a stolen base.
 
Cole Gayman pitched 3.2 innings while striking out eight batters and walking two. Trent Harris contributed 1.1 innings in relief, recording two strikeouts. Brandon Overman pitched 2.0 innings, with no runs and striking out a batter. Kaylor Darnell struck out one in 1.0 innings pitch. Kyle Kaempf closed the game with 1.0 inning pitched, with one strikeout.
 
Stats Tracker

• Hits: Drew Townsend (3), Nate Mieszkowski (2), Treghan Parker (2), Cy Darnell (2), Brayden Luikart (1), Jacob Filip (1), Ethan Clark (1), Chayton Beck (1)
• RBI: Brayden Luikart (2), Drew Townsend (1), Treghan Parker (1)
• 2B: Drew Townsend (1, Chayton Beck (1)
• HBP: Drew Townsend (1)
• SB: Drew Townsend (1), Cy Darnell (1)
• Pitching:
  • Cole Gayman (L, 3-5): 3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO
  • Trent Harris: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
  • Brandon Overman: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
  • Kaylor Darnell: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
  • Kyle Kaempf: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

 
Up Next:
The Lions will be back in action on Saturday, April 26, when they host the Rogers State University Hillcats on Senior Day. Prior to game time, the Lions will honor their seniors at 12:35 PM. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.
 
The Missouri Southern baseball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
   
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