TOPEKA, Kan. — No. 11-ranked Missouri Southern softball (29-5, 4-2 MIAA) swept Washburn (24-13, 1-7 MIAA) in its Friday MIAA doubleheader at Gahnstrom Field.
With the pair of conference wins over the Ichabods, MSSU improves to 29-5 in 2026 and 4-2 in league games.
No. 11 Missouri Southern 4, Washburn 3 – 9 Innings
Missouri Southern edged Washburn 4–3 in extra innings of Friday's doubleheader opener at Gahnstrom Field.
MSSU rallied with a three-run seventh inning to take a 3-2 lead, backed by 15 strikeouts from its pitching staff over the nine-inning game.
Southern capitalized on a crucial seventh-inning opportunity.
Katie Gray singled and was replaced by pinch runner
Micah Snider, who advanced on a wild pitch and scored on
Avery Sue Davis's RBI single.
Emma Mason reached on a fielding error, allowing Davis to score.
Bailey Dillon then hit an RBI single, and
Taylor Nuckolls followed with another RBI single, giving the Lions a 3–2 lead.
WU managed to tie the game at 3–3 in the bottom half of the inning, scoring on a throwing error.
After a scoreless eighth inning, Southern took the lead in the ninth. Dillon's aggressive baserunning proved decisive. She singled, then stole second and third, before scoring the go-ahead run on a double by
Maddie Rolfs. This sequence secured the lead for MSSU, as the defense held Washburn scoreless in the bottom of the inning.
The Ichabods took a 2–0 lead in the fifth inning when Makenzie Sais singled up the middle, driving in two runs.
Bailey Dillon recorded three hits and two stolen bases, contributing significantly to the offensive effort.
Maddie Rolfs added two hits, including a double, and drove in a run.
Avery Sue Davis posted two hits and added a run and an RBI, enhancing the team's scoring opportunities.
Kiki Pickens delivered a strong performance, pitching six innings while allowing only four hits and striking out 11 batters. Despite giving up three runs, Pickens maintained a WHIP of 1.17 and threw 71 strikes out of 103 pitches.
Kadence Janney contributed two innings in relief, conceding a hit and striking out two in the win (7-0 in 2026).
Emily Davis then closed the game. Davis pitched an inning where she struck out two and earned the save (first in 2026). The combined effort of the pitchers featured a total of 15 strikeouts.
No. 11 Missouri Southern 9, Washburn 0 – 6 Innings
Missouri Southern secured a decisive 9-0 run-rule victory over Washburn in game two of the Friday doubleheader at Gahnstrom Field.
MSSU broke the game open with a seven-run sixth inning, capitalizing on nine hits and three doubles to seal the win.
Washburn's hopes were dashed in the sixth inning when the Lions unleashed a seven-run surge. The inning was highlighted by
Emily Perry's double, which set up a pivotal RBI double by
Katie Gray.
Avery Sue Davis followed with a walk, loading the bases.
Easton Walter,
Bailey Dillon, and
Maddie Rolfs each contributed with timely at-bats: Walter drew an RBI walk, Dillon took a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, and Rolfs delivered a two-RBI double.
Taylor Nuckolls and
Carsen Tinkler added RBI singles.
Earlier in the game, MSSU initiated its scoring in the fifth inning. Rolfs' single to right field scored two runs after Dillon had been hit by a pitch, establishing a 2–0 lead.
WU struggled to capitalize on its opportunities, leaving the bases loaded in the third and fifth innings without scoring. Southern's defense, combined with effective pitching, maintained the shutout and secured the victory.
Southern secured a decisive 9-0 victory over Washburn. The game remained scoreless through the first four innings, with both teams unable to capitalize on early opportunities.
Rolfs led the offense by driving in four runs on two hits, including a double, and scored once. Dillon scored twice and contributed with an RBI despite. Tinkler added two hits and an RBI, helping to solidify the team's performance.
Emily Davis delivered an impressive performance, pitching a complete game shutout for Missouri Southern. Over six innings, Davis allowed just two hits and struck out five batters, maintaining a WHIP of 0.83. She threw 91 pitches, with 53 strikes, and issued three walks but kept WU scoreless. This win improved her 2026 record to 11-3.
NEXT: MSSU next heads to Emporia State Saturday for a doubleheader against the Hornets. The two-game tilt starts at 1 p.m., CT in Emporia, Kansas.
