EMPORIA, Kan. — No. 11-ranked Missouri Southern softball (31-5, 6-2 MIAA) swept its doubleheader over Emporia State Saturday at Trusler Stadium.
With the pair of wins, MSSU improved to 31-5 in 2026 and 6-2 in league play. The Lions have won their last five contests after a 4-0 MIAA road weekend.
Missouri Southern surpassed 30 wins for the fourth-straight season.
This is the first time in MSSU softball program history that the Lions have gone 4-0 on the road at both Washburn (2-0) and Emporia State (2-0) in the same season.
No. 11 Missouri Southern 7, Emporia State 6
Missouri Southern secured a narrow 7–6 victory over Emporia State in a tense game one matchup at Trusler Stadium.
MSSU tallied six runs in the third inning and held off a late rally by ESU to secure the win.
Emporia State staged a dramatic comeback in the sixth inning, erasing a three-run deficit with a two-RBI triple followed by an RBI single, bringing the score to a tense 6–6 tie.
Southern had established an early lead in the third inning, highlighted by
Carsen Tinkler's three-run homer following
Taylor Nuckolls' two-RBI double, which provided a commanding 6–0 advantage.
Missouri Southern regained control in the seventh inning.
Maddie Rolfs singled and stole second, setting the stage for
Emily Perry's RBI sacrifice bunt that pushed Rolfs across the plate for a decisive 7–6 lead. Despite the pressure, Southern held ESU scoreless in the bottom of the seventh, sealing the victory with solid defense, including three consecutive outs to end the game.
In the third inning, MSSU broke the scoreless game open with a six-run outburst.
Avery Sue Davis singled and later scored on an RBI single by
Easton Walter.
Bailey Dillon and Rolfs followed with singles, loading the bases. Nuckolls then doubled to right field, driving in two runs. Tinkler capped the rally with a three-run homer to left field, bringing the score to 6–0.
Emporia State responded in the fifth inning with three runs. Addison Callaway and Leslie Ramos scored on a two-RBI single by Kinsey Perine, who then scored on a single by Sydney Wagner, cutting the lead to 6–3.
In the sixth inning, the Hornets tied the game with three more runs. Elina Bartlett hit a two-RBI triple, and Perine added an RBI single, making it 6–6.
The Lions regained the lead in the seventh inning. Rolfs singled and advanced on a stolen base. Tinkler's single moved Rolfs to third, and she scored on a fielder's choice by Perry, bringing the score to 7–6.
In the bottom of the seventh, Missouri Southern's defense held Emporia State scoreless to secure the win.
Tinkler led with a powerful performance, hitting a home run and collecting three RBI on three hits. Rolfs was effective at the plate, scoring twice and adding two hits with a stolen base. Nuckolls contributed significantly with a double and two RBI, while Dillon recorded two hits and scored a run.
Kiki Pickens led the pitching effort for Southern, throwing five innings with seven strikeouts, allowing three earned runs on five hits. Pickens faced 21 batters without issuing a walk, maintaining a WHIP of 1.00.
Kadence Janney pitched in relief, walking two batters without recording an out, resulting in two earned runs.
Emily Davis closed out the game with two innings of work, conceding one earned run on two hits while striking out one for the victory. She improved to 12-3 in 2026.
No. 11 Missouri Southern 4, Emporia State 1
MSSU secured a 4-1 game two victory over Emporia State on Saturday at Trusler Stadium. A pivotal three-run sixth inning highlighted the game for MSSU, which tallied eight hits and struck out nine batters.
Emporia State's defensive miscues in the sixth inning allowed Missouri Southern to seize control of the game.
Taylor Nuckolls led off with a single and advanced to third on a fielding error.
Emily Perry reached base on an error, and
Katie Gray was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. A failed pickoff attempt allowed Nuckolls to score, and
Emma Mason delivered a pivotal two-out triple to left center, bringing in two more runs and extending the lead.
Southern's early pressure was evident as
Bailey Dillon opened the game with a bunt single, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI groundout by Nuckolls. Despite a defensive stand from the Hornets in the middle innings, Missouri Southern's persistent offense and strategic base running in the sixth inning capitalized on the errors, creating a decisive swing in momentum.
A missed opportunity arose for Emporia State in the fourth inning when Brynley Smith's leadoff double and subsequent advance to third on a wild pitch were followed by just one run. MSSU's defense tightened, preventing further damage and allowing it to maintain control through the final innings.
MSSU secured a 4-1 victory over ESU starting with early momentum in the first inning.
Bailey Dillon singled on a bunt and advanced to third before scoring on a groundout by Nuckolls, putting the Lions ahead 1-0 after the first inning.
ESU tied the game in the fourth inning. Brynley Smith doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch, then scored on Addison Callaway's double to left center, leveling the score at 1-1.
Southern broke the tie in the sixth inning, capitalizing on ESU's defensive errors. Nuckolls scored on a failed pickoff attempt and subsequent throwing error. Mason delivered a critical triple to left center, driving in Gray and Perry, both of whom scored unearned runs, extending the lead to 4-1 by the end of the inning.
Bailey Dillon recorded three hits and scored one run, contributing significantly to the offensive effort. Mason delivered a triple and drove in two runs, showcasing her ability to convert opportunities into scoring.
Carsen Tinkler demonstrated strong defensive skills by collecting five assists at third base.
Emily Davis started for the Lions, pitching three innings while allowing one earned run on four hits, including two doubles and a triple. She recorded three strikeouts and issued a walk, throwing 59 pitches with 40 strikes.
Kiki Pickens (11-2 in 2026) relieved Davis and completed four scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit and striking out six batters. Pickens was efficient with her pitches, recording 41 strikes out of 58, and maintained an impressive WHIP of 0.25.
NEXT: The Lions next return to Joplin to host Northeastern State in a doubleheader on April 4. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m., CT at Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
