MANSFIELD, Texas — Emily Davis delivered a complete-game shutout and
Katie Gray belted a two-run homer as No. 24-ranked Missouri Southern softball (3-0) secured a 3-0 victory over Southern Nazarene (1-3) on Saturday afternoon at Day 2 of the Lone Star D2 College Classic.
Davis, a freshman from Buckeye, Arizona, was one hit away from throwing a perfect game Saturday at the Fields at Station 63 as she registered her second career collegiate win (2-0). She struck out five batters over seven innings, facing 22 total batters without issuing a walk. Davis threw 84 pitches, 61 of which were strikes, contributing to her second win of the season with an unblemished record.
Gray, a senior from Lansing, Kansas, contributed offensively with her first home run of the season and drove in two runs. She finished 1-for-2 with a walk. Gray moves into tied for second all-time at Missouri Southern with 26 career home runs with Angie Turner (2006-10).
Bailey Dillon excelled at the plate, recording three hits (3-for-4) including a double, while also scoring a run and stealing a base.
Taylor Nuckolls added to the offensive effort with an RBI double, going 1-for-4.
MSSU capitalized on Southern Nazarene's three fielding errors to maintain their unbeaten record of 3-0 to start the 2026 season.
MSSU opened the game with a strong first inning, as Dillon hit a ground-rule double, setting the stage for Gray, who delivered a two-run homer to left center. This early offensive burst gave Missouri Southern a 2-0 lead.
In the second inning, the Lions maintained their defensive momentum, as Southern Nazarene registered its only hit of the game while stranding a runner on base.
The fourth inning saw MSSU extend its lead to 3-0.
Ashlyn Hulett pinch-hit and reached first on an infield single before scoring from second on Nuckolls' RBI double to deep center field.
Southern's defense remained strong throughout the game, preventing the Crimson Storm from scoring in any inning and allowing only one hit overall.
MSSU next closes out the Lone Star D2 College Classic Sunday with a pair of games. The Lions face Cameron University at 12:15 p.m., CT and then Oklahoma Baptist University at 2:30 p.m. Both games will be contested at the Fields at Station 63-Field 5.
