JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern baseball (6-7, 2-2 MIAA) secured a decisive 13-3 run-rule victory over Northeastern State (4-10, 0-4 MIAA) on Friday at Warren Turner Field.
MSSU now moves to 6-7 in 2026 and 2-2 in MIAA conference play.
The Lions tallied a season-best 13 runs on 19 hits, including six doubles and three home runs, to dominate the game.
MSSU secured a decisive 13-3 victory over Northeastern State with a strong offensive performance. The game began quietly, with both teams held scoreless in the first inning. Missouri Southern took an early lead in the second inning when
Cy Darnell singled and was driven home by a double from
Aiden Hinkle, putting the home team ahead 1-0.
In the third inning, Northeastern State responded with a three-run surge. Blake Smith walked and scored on a double by Cody Hamilton, who later crossed home plate along with another run on a single from Stephen Osborne, giving the Riverhawks a 3-1 advantage.
MSSU rallied in the fifth inning, narrowing the gap with a solo home run by
Brayden Luikart.
Ethan Clark scored on a double from
Jason Lazo, leveling the score at 3-3.
Southern surged ahead in the sixth inning.
Will Doherty launched a two-run homer, scoring
Jacob Filip. Luikart, who had singled and stolen a base, added another run on a double by
Blake Jones, extending the Lions' lead to 6-3.
In a dominant seventh inning, Missouri Southern added seven more runs to their tally. Darnell doubled and scored on a single by
Will Potter. Doherty then delivered a grand slam, bringing home Filip,
Will Potter, and Hinkle. Pinch runner
Andrew Young scored on Lazo's double, capping the inning's scoring and sealing a commanding 13-3 victory for MSSU.
Owen Schneider delivered a solid start for Missouri Southern, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out six batters to secure the victory (4-0 in 2026). Schneider handled 94 pitches and maintained a WHIP of 1.17, demonstrating control with only two walks over 25 batters faced.
Jackson Gamble came in relief, contributing a scoreless inning with one strikeout, allowing no hits and issuing just one walk on 13 pitches. Together, Schneider and Gamble combined for a strong pitching effort, limiting NSU's opportunities and keeping the game competitive.
Doherty led the charge with a personal-best matching two home runs and career-high six RBI, tallying two hits in the game. Luikart contributed significantly, recording five hits, scoring three runs, and adding a home run while stealing three bases. Filip reached base three times with two walks and a hit, crossing the plate twice.
Due to the threat of inclement weather on Sunday, the Lions and Riverhawks will wrap the MIAA series Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m., CT Saturday at Warren Turner Field with the series finale to follow.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
