BENTONVILLE, Ark. — No. 24-ranked Missouri Southern softball split the first day of the Alvy Early Memorial Classic Friday at Bentonville High School. MSSU picked up a 10-3 win over Southeastern Oklahoma before falling to Drury, 2-1.
The Lions are now 6-1 in 2026 and will compete in four more games over the Alvy Early Memorial Classic this weekend.
No. 24 MSSU 10, Southeastern Oklahoma 3
Missouri Southern secured a decisive 10-3 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma (2-4) Friday.
MSSU collected 14 hits, with a standout performance in the third inning where the Lions scored four runs to establish a commanding lead.
Southern started strong with
Bailey Dillon's aggressive base running, stealing two bases before
Taylor Nuckolls' bunt single brought her home.
Carsen Tinkler's groundout allowed Nuckolls to score, giving MSSU a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
Southeastern Oklahoma responded in the third inning, with Iliana Olivares' RBI single and Emily Simmons' two-run homer shifting momentum temporarily, putting them ahead 3-2. However, MSSU quickly regained control in the bottom of the inning.
Katie Gray's RBI double, followed by Tinkler's two-run homer, and
Cady Dickey's RBI double, pushed them to a 6-3 lead.
In the fourth inning, MSSU added another run, extending its lead to 7-3, with
Gianna Saggese walking and forcing in a run with the bases loaded.
The sixth inning saw MSSU widen the gap further. Nuckolls scored on Tinkler's RBI single, who then advanced on an error. Dickey's two-RBI single cemented a commanding 10-3 advantage.
Missouri Southern's defense held Southeastern Oklahoma scoreless in the final innings, with
Emily Davis pitching effectively in relief. The game concluded with a decisive 10-3 victory for MSSU.
Dillon finished with three hits (3-for-4) and scored two runs while successfully stealing three bases. Nuckolls contributed with two hits (2-for-4), scored twice, and also stole three bases. Tinkler recorded four RBI and hit a home run, highlighting her impact at the plate. Dickey added a double and drove in three runs.
Kadence Janney (2-0) pitched four innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits, including a home run, with three strikeouts and a walk. Janney threw 68 pitches, 47 of which were strikes, maintaining a 1.25 WHIP for her second win of the season.
Davis came in relief for three innings, giving up a hit while issuing three walks while not allowing any runs. Davis recorded six flyouts and three groundouts, throwing 44 pitches with 26 strikes, resulting in a 1.33 WHIP.
Drury 2, No. 24 MSSU 1
MSSU fell 2-1 to Drury (2-5) on Friday, despite outhitting the Panthers with six hits to three.
Drury capitalized on a two-run second inning, which proved decisive in the closely contested matchup.
In the second inning, Southern took an early lead when
Maddie Rolfs scored on a throwing error by Drury's third baseman. Despite the opportunity, they concluded the inning with one run on one hit, leaving two on base. Drury responded in its half of the inning, capitalizing on an error with a two-run double by Reece Anderson, moving ahead 2–1.
MSSU threatened again in the third inning. Gray doubled to left field, but the Lions could not capitalize as the inning ended with two runners left on base. Drury was held scoreless in the bottom of the inning, maintaining its 2–1 advantage.
In the fourth inning,
Easton Walter singled and
Emma Mason followed with a double to advance Walter to third. However, the momentum was halted as a lineout double play ended the inning with no runs scored.
The score remained unchanged with Drury maintaining its lead, securing a 2–1 win. Missouri Southern registered six hits and one error, while DU managed three hits with one error.
Gray posted a double over her two at-bats. Mason contributed a double and a sacrifice hit. Rolfs added a run and a hit, contributing to the team's offensive efforts.
Kiki Pickens (1-1) delivered a complete game for Missouri Southern, pitching six innings with eight strikeouts and allowing only three hits (0 earned runs) against DU. Pickens held the opposition to a 0.67 WHIP, issuing just one walk and hitting one batter while maintaining control with 57 strikes out of 101 pitches.
NEXT UP: MSSU next continues the 2026 Alvy Early Memorial Classic Saturday with matchups against Arkansas Tech and Southwest Baptist. Game times are set for 11:30 a.m., CT and 2 p.m. on Memorial Fields 9 and 6, respectively.
