Joplin, Mo. –The Missouri Southern Softball team takes on the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats in a conference matchup. The Lions and Bearcats were locked in a tense battle in game one until the Lions broke the tie and held on to their 1-0 lead to secure the win. In game two, Southern struck first in the opening inning, but Northwest Missouri State answered back, took the lead, and held on for an 8-4 victory.
Katie Gray broke the MSSU single-season RBI record surpassing the previous mark of 55 set by Myranda Stewart in 2017 with her 56 RBI of the year against Northwest Missouri State in game two. Gray now sits with 57 RBIs.
Kiki Pickens reached a milestone in game one, recording her 250th career strikeout.
Missouri Southern (29-13, 9-5 MIAA) | Northwest Missouri State (16-23, 6-12 MIAA)
Game one: Missouri Southern 1 | Northwest Missouri State 0
The fourth inning marked a pivotal moment for Southern when
Katie Gray doubled and later advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Cady Dickey executed a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Gray to score the game's first run, putting the Lions ahead 1-0.
The Lions held the Bearcats to be scoreless and would take the 1-0 victory.
Cady Dickey would bring in the game's only run on a sacrifice fly to center field.
Bailey Dillon secured one hit, one walk, and a stolen base.
Katie Gray added a double and scored a run. The Lions tallied four hits.
Kiki Pickens delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 6.2 innings without allowing an earned run and striking out eight batters. Pickens now holds 250 career strikeouts.
Lauren Fuller contributed by securing the save and retiring the only batter faced with two pitches.
Stats Tracker:
- Hits: Bailey Dillon (1), Katie Gray (1), Carsen Tinkler (1), Hannah Duin (1)
- RBIs: Cady Dickey (1)
- 2B: Katie Gray (1)
- SF: Cady Dickey (1)
- SH: Peyton Hawkins (1)
- SB: Bailey Dillon (1), Ashlyn Hulett (1), Maddie Rolfs (1)
- Pitching:
- Kiki Pickens (W, 15-4): 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO
- Lauren Fuller (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
Game two: Missouri Southern 4 | Northwest Missouri State 8
Southern took an early lead in the first inning when
Bailey Dillon was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on a single by
Cady Dickey, putting the Lions ahead 1–0.
The Bearcats got on the board in the third inning with three runs, 3-1.
Katie Gray singled and brought in
Kylee Jacks to close the score to 3-2 in the fifth inning.
Northwest Missouri State added five runs in the sixth innings, putting 8-2.
In the seventh inning, the Lions scored two runs on a
Katie Gray double that scored
Kylee Jacks and
Maddie Rolfs. Northwest Missouri State held its lead to take the 8-4 win.
Kylee Jacks recorded three hits, two runs, and three stolen bases.
Katie Gray contributed two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs.
Cady Dickey added a hit and an RBI. The Lions have nine hits.
Avery Tallman started and pitched 2.2 innings with two strikeouts and no walks.
Kadence Janney came in as relief and pitched 2.1 innings, striking out one.
NaTalia Sewell closed the game with 2.0 innings pitched and striking out one.
Stats Tracker:
- Hits: Kylee Jacks (3), Katie Gray (2), Cady Dickey (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1), Emily Perry (1), Maddie Rolfs (1)
- RBIs: Katie Gray (3), Cady Dickey (1)
- 2B: Katie Gray (1)
- HBP: Bailey Dillon (1)
- SB: Bailey Dillon (1), Kylee Jacks (3)
- Pitching:
- Avery Tallman (L, 11-5): 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
- Kadence Janney: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
- NaTalia Sewell: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
Up next:
The Lions will be on the road on Friday, April 11, when they travel to take on the University of Central Missouri Jennies. Game one is set for 3:00 PM.
The Missouri Southern softball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics.
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