St. Joseph, Mo. - The Missouri Southern baseball team hit the road for a conference showdown against the Missouri Western State University. The Lions took control right out of the gate, riding strong pitching to hold the Griffons to just five hits and no runs in a 6–0 victory.
 
Missouri Southern (20-14, 13-11 MIAA) | Missouri Western (8-22, 6-14 MIAA)
The Lions started strong in the first inning, with Drew Townsend singling up the middle and later scoring on a Jacob Filip single to right field. Brayden Luikart, who walked, also crossed home plate following a ground out by Nate Mieszkowski, giving Southern a 2-0 lead.
 
In the third inning, Southern extended their lead after Blake Jones and Jake Leeker reached base with singles, Cy Darnell hit a double to left field, driving in two runs. Chayton Beck added to the momentum with a single to right center that brought Darnell home, increasing the lead to 5-0.
 
The Lions increase their advantage with a solo home run by Drew Townsend, adding another run to the board, 6-0.
 
Southern would hold Missouri Western's five hits and no runs and take the 6-0 victory.
 
Drew Townsend recorded a home run, and two runs scored. Cy Darnell drove in two runs with a double. Jacob Filip had two hits and one RBI. Chayton Beck recorded two hits, one RBI, and a walk. The Lions finished with 14 hits.
 
Casey Stalzer pitched 7.0 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out six while facing 27 batters. Owen Schneider followed with 2.0 innings of relief, giving up one hit and striking out three over nine batters. The two combined to hold the Griffons scoreless over 9.0 innings.
 
Stats Tracker

• Hits: Drew Townsend (2), Brayden Luikart (1), Ethan Clark (1), Jacob Filip (2), Nate Mieszkowski (2), Blake Jones (1), Jake Leeker (1), Cy Darnell (2), Chayton Beck (2)
• RBI: Drew Townsend (1), Jacob Filip (1), Nate Mieszkowski (1), Cy Darnell (2), Chayton Beck (1)
• 2B: Cy Darnell (1)
• HR: Drew Townsend (1)
• SH: Ethan Clark (1); Chayton Beck (1)
• SB: Treghan Parker (1)
• HBP: Jacob Filip (1); Nate Mieszkowski (1); Blake Jones (1)
• Pitching:
  • Casey Stalzer (W, 3–1): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO
  • Owen Schneider: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

Up Next:
The Lions will be on the road on Monday, April 7, when they take on the Missouri Western State University Griffons in the series' final game. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM at Griffon Baseball Field.
 
The Missouri Southern baseball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
   
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