Magnolia, Ark. – The No. 6 Missouri Southern softball team faced the No. 7 Harding University Bison in the NCAA D-II Central Region Tournament. Southern shut out Harding and run-ruled them in six innings, 9-0, advancing to face No. 2 Southern Arkansas in their second game of the day. The Lions took control early and blanked the Muleriders, 3-0, to advance to the Central Region Tournament Championship. The last time the Lions appeared in the NCAA Division II Central Region Championship was in 1998, when they finished as runner-up under head coach Pat Lipira.

Bailey Dillon Broke the MSSU single-season run record surpassing the previous mark of 56 set by Abi Corbett in 2017 with her 57 of the year against Southern Arkansas. Dillon now sits with 57 runs.
 
No. 6 Missouri Southern (38-17) | No. 7 Harding (39-18) – 6 Innings
The Lions opened the scoring in the second inning. Katie Gray initiated the offense with a single, followed by Maddie Rolfs' double. Rolfs stole third and scored on a throwing error. Emma Mason walked, setting up Carsen Tinkler's two-run homer to left field. The offensive surge continued with consecutive singles by Kate Thurman, Bailey Dillon, and Kylee Jacks, resulting in three more runs, leading 6-0.
 
In the fourth inning, Taylor Nuckolls singled and stole second, scoring on Katie Gray's single to extend the lead to 7-0.
 
Southern added two runs in the sixth inning with Nuckolls tripling to left center. Emily Perry's sacrifice fly and Rolfs' single pushed the score to 9-0. The Lions held the Bison and ended the game in the sixth inning with a final score of 9-0.
 
Taylor Nuckolls scored three hits and two runs while driving in two more. She also hit a triple and stole a base. Carsen Tinkler contributed with a home run, driving in two runs during her three at-bats. Maddie Rolfs added to the offensive effort with a double, stolen base, one RBI, and two hits. The Lions tallied 15 hits.
 
Kiki Pickens pitched 4.0 innings, allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out four batters and walking one over 14 batters. NaTalia Sewell contributed with 2.0 innings of scoreless relief, facing six batters without allowing any hits or walks and retiring four on fly balls.

Stats Tracker:

• Hits: Taylor Nuckolls (3), Katie Gray (2), Emily Perry (2), Maddie Rolfs (2), Emma Mason (2), Bailey Dillon (1), Kylee Jacks (1), Carsen Tinkler (1), Kate Thurman (1)
• RBI: Taylor Nuckolls (2), Carsen Tinkler (2), Kylee Jacks (1), Katie Gray (1), Emily Perry (1), Maddie Rolfs (1)
• 2B: Maddie Rolfs (1)
• 3B: Taylor Nuckolls (1)
• HR: Carsen Tinkler (1)
• SH: Emily Perry (1)
• SF: Emily Perry (1)
• SB: Kylee Jacks (1), Taylor Nuckolls (1), Maddie Rolfs (1), Emma Mason (1)
• HBP: Katie Gray (1)
• Pitching:
  • Kiki Pickens (W, 19-5): 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
  • NaTalia Sewell: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO

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No. 6 Missouri Southern (39-17) | No. 2 Southern Arkansas (43-10)
Southern secured an early lead in the first inning against the Muleriders. Bailey Dillon's walk and later scored on Taylor Nuckolls single, 1-0.
 
In the second inning, Carsen Tinkler walked and advanced to third on a single by Kate Thurman. Taylor Nuckolls delivered a single to center, driving in Tinkler and extending the lead to 2-0.
 
Katie Gray singled and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Emma Mason's single brought her home, making it 3-0 in the third inning.
 
In the closing innings, the Lions kept the Muleriders scoreless for a 3-0 final score.
 
Taylor Nuckolls led with two RBIs and recorded four assists. Kylee Jacks contributed by reaching base twice with a hit and a walk. Emma Mason secured an RBI with a hit and two assists at second base. The Lions added nine hits.
 
Avery Tallman pitched 3.0 innings, allowing no runs, no walks, and recording one strikeout for only four hits. Kiki Pickens followed with 4.0 innings, yielding two hits and one walk while striking out three batters.
 
Stats Tracker:

• Hits: Taylor Nuckolls (2), Kylee Jacks (1), Katie Gray (1), Emily Perry (1), Maddie Rolfs (1), Emma Mason (1), Carsen Tinkler (1), Kate Thurman (1)
• RBI: Taylor Nuckolls (2), Emma Mason (1)
• 2B: Carsen Tinkler (1)
• Pitching:
  • Avery Tallman (W, 16-8): 3.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
  • Kiki Pickens (S, 1): 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO

Up next:
Missouri Southern continues at the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament, taking on the No. 3 Augustana University (SD) Vikings. The first pitch is set for 1:00 PM CT.
 
The Missouri Southern softball season is presented by Arvest Bank, a proud supporter of Lion Athletics. Read Full Article