Joplin, Mo. The Missouri Southern baseball team hosts the Rogers State University Hillcats in a conference match-up. The Lions struck early, regained control in the fifth inning, and held off the Hillcats for a 3-2 Senior Day victory.
 
Laif Hultine broke his second MSSU record of the season, setting a new career saves mark with 18. The record was previously held by Todd Casper, with 17 saves from 1990-1993. Hultine tied last season before officially surpassing it today.
 
Missouri Southern (24-22, 16-16 MIAA) | Rogers State (26-18, 16-16 MIAA)
Southern took an early lead in the first inning as Drew Townsend singled and later scored on Treghan Parker's single to right field, making it 1-0.
 
The Hillcats plated one run in the fourth inning to even the score, 1-1.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Lions retook their lead. Cy Darnell singled and scored on Brayden Luikart's single to left field, 2-1.
 
Continuing their scoring in the sixth inning, Southern capitalized on a defensive miscue by the Hillcats. Jacob Filip walked and advanced on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cy Darnell, increasing the lead to 3-1.
 
The Hillcats narrowed the gap in the seventh with a run scored, pushing the score to 3-2.
 
Southern held their ground through the ninth inning, with Laif Hultine closing out the game, securing a 3-2 victory for the Lions.
 
Drew Townsend added one hit, one run, and one walk in a single game. Brayden Luikart contributed with two hits, including one RBI. Cy Darnell added a hit and drove in a run. The Lions tallied eight hits.
 
Casey Stalzer pitched 5.0 innings, striking out five batters and walking 1, achieving a WHIP of 0.80. Kyle Moore contributed 2.0 innings, for two strikeouts and a walk. Laif Hultine closed with 2.0 innings and maintained no earned runs scored, earning his third save of the season.
 
Stats Tracker

• Hits: Brayden Luikart (2), Blake Jones (2), Drew Townsend (1), Ethan Clark (1), Treghan Parker (1), Cy Darnell (1)
• RBI: Brayden Luikart (1), Treghan Parker (1), Cy Darnell (1)
• 2B: Blake Jones (1)
• HBP: Drew Townsend (1), Nate Mieszkowski (1)
• SH: Chayton Beck (1)
• SF: Cy Darnell (1)
• SB: Nate Mieszkowski (1)
• Pitching:
  • Casey Stalzer (W, 4-2): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
  • Kyle Moore: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
  • Laif Hultine (S, 3): 2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO

Up Next:
The Lions return to action on Sunday, April 27, hosting Rogers State for the final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
 
The Missouri Southern baseball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
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