JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern baseball (8-7, 4-2 MIAA) secured a series sweep of Northeastern State (4-12, 0-6 MIAA) Saturday at Warren Turner Field with two victories over the doubleheader.
MSSU edged NSU, 4-3, in the Saturday doubleheader opener before run-ruling the Riverhawks in the series finale, 11-1. It was the second Lions run-rule win of the series and second in as many days.
With the series sweep of Northeastern State, MSSU moves to 8-7 in 2026 and 4-2 in MIAA action. NSU is now 4-12 and 0-6 in conference play.
Both games of Saturday's doubleheader featured weather/lightning delays.
Originally a three-game series over Friday, Saturday, Sunday, it was moved to a Saturday doubleheader following a standalone game Friday due to the threat of inclement weather on Sunday.
Game 1
Missouri Southern 4, Northeastern State 3
Missouri Southern secured a narrow 4-3 victory over Northeastern State on Saturday at Warren Turner Field. Missouri Southern rallied with two runs in the ninth inning to clinch the win, overcoming a two-run second inning by NSU.
NSU took an early lead in the second inning when Chance Pair and Chase Hamilton delivered consecutive RBI singles, bringing in two runs. This left Missouri Southern trailing 2-0 after two innings.
MSSU got on the board in the sixth inning, when
Brayden Luikart doubled to center field, and
Will Potter scored on a wild pitch. By the end of six innings, the score was 2-1 in favor of NSU.
In the eighth inning, Missouri Southern tied the game at 2-2.
Jacob Filip scored on another wild pitch after leading off the inning with a single.
NSU reclaimed the lead in the ninth inning with a double by Klete Finley that brought home Hamilton, making the score 3-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, Missouri Southern capitalized on a series of errors.
Aiden Hinkle reached on an error and later scored, along with
Andrew Young, on Filip's double to right field. This secured a 4-3 victory for Missouri Southern over NSU.
Walker Sweet pitched six innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out five and walking four. Sweet threw 82 pitches, with 53 strikes, and maintained a 1.33 WHIP.
Luke Beverlin contributed with three innings of relief, conceding two hits and one earned run, striking out two, and issuing two walks. Beverlin secured the win (1-0 in 2026), showcasing efficiency with 27 strikes out of 42 pitches.
Jacob Filip recorded two hits, including a double, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Luikart added a double and drew a walk to maintain a high on-base percentage.
Cy Darnell made an impact defensively at shortstop with six assists.
Game 2
Missouri Southern 11, Northeastern State 1 – 7 Innings
MSSU secured a decisive 11-1 victory over Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon at Warren Turner Field in seven innings. The Lions tallied five runs in the third inning, contributing to its commanding win.
Brayden Luikart set the tone for MSSU with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning.
Will Doherty later drew a walk, and after advancing to second, scored on
Blake Jones' RBI single, giving Missouri Southern a 2-0 lead after one inning.
In the second inning,
Aiden Hinkle walked and then scored on
Jacob Filip's RBI double. Filip also crossed home plate thanks to a single by Doherty, extending the lead to 4-0 after two innings.
The third inning saw Southern capitalize on NSU's errors. After Jones walked,
Cy Darnell reached on an error, and
Ethan Clark delivered a bunt single, bringing in Jones.
Andrew Young's sacrifice fly added another unearned run, and Filip's sacrifice fly brought in Clark. A two-RBI single by Doherty capped the inning, bringing the score to 9-0.
In the fifth inning, Luikart tripled and scored on Filip's RBI single, increasing the lead to 10-0.
The Riverhawks got on the board in the sixth with a solo home run by Pair.
Jason Lazo then scored for the Lions on a sacrifice fly by Darnell, putting the score at 11-1.
The seventh inning was scoreless for the Riverhawks, solidifying MSSU's decisive 11-1 victory over NSU.
Michael Mulhollon (1-1 in 2026) pitched five innings without allowing a hit, striking out 10 batters while walking just one, securing a win with a WHIP of 0.20.
Gabe Perry pitched one inning, giving up one hit, a home run, and one earned run while striking out one batter.
Kaylor Darnell closed the game with a hitless inning, recording one strikeout and two groundouts.
Luikart scored three runs, hit a home run, and recorded an OPS of 2.350. Filip tallied three RBI and added a stolen base. Doherty contributed three RBI and collected two hits.
NEXT: Missouri Southern next hosts Drury in a non-conference midweek on Tuesday, March 3. First pitch is 3 p.m., CT at Warren Turner Field.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
