JOPLIN, Mo. — No. 8-ranked Missouri Southern softball (21-3) swept its doubleheader with Minnesota State Moorhead (1-14) Saturday afternoon at Joplin High School.
MSSU opened the two-game set with a 7-1 win before securing the sweep with a 9-1 run-rule victory over the Dragons in six innings in the Saturday finale.
The Lions improved to 21-3 in 2026 and are currently on a four-game win streak.
No. 8 Missouri Southern 7, Minnesota State Moorhead 1
MSSU secured a decisive 7-1 victory over Minnesota State Moorhead on Saturday at Joplin HS. Missouri Southern collected 11 hits, including three doubles and a triple, while
Kiki Pickens pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits and striking out seven.
In the first inning,
Bailey Dillon singled and stole second, setting up
Taylor Nuckolls, who scored Dillon with a bunt single and an error. Nuckolls later scored on a wild pitch, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead.
In the second,
Carsen Tinkler doubled and was driven home by
Maddie Rolfs with a triple, extending the lead. The Dragons responded with a run, but MSSU led 3-1 after two innings.
The third inning saw
Emily Perry double and score on a single by Tinkler, pushing the lead to 4-1.
In the fifth, Missouri Southern added three more runs. Perry reached on a passed ball and scored on an
Avery Sue Davis double. Tinkler's single then brought in Davis, and an error allowed another run to score, making it 7-1.
Southern maintained its lead through the final innings, securing the game one win with a final score of 7-1.
Dillon showcased her speed with three stolen bases, making a significant impact on the base paths. Nuckolls contributed both offensively and defensively, recording one hit, one RBI, and three assists at shortstop.
Perry drew two walks while also scoring twice and hitting a double. Tinkler delivered a strong performance with three hits, including a double, while driving in two runs and scoring twice herself. Rolfs added to the offensive effort with three hits, including a triple, and an RBI.
Pickens delivered a commanding performance in the circle for Missouri Southern, pitching a complete game in the Lions' matchup against Minnesota State Moorhead. Pickens allowed just three hits and one earned run over seven innings, striking out seven batters while issuing only two walks. This victory marked her eighth win (8-2 in 2026) of the season.
No. 8 Missouri Southern 9, Minnesota State Moorhead 1
MSSU then registered a decisive 9-1 run-rule victory over MSU in game two of Saturday's doubleheader. Missouri Southern tallied two home runs and collected nine hits to overwhelm the Dragons.
MSSU opened the game with
Bailey Dillon drawing a walk and eventually stealing home to score the first run after
Emily Perry also walked and stole second.
In the fourth inning,
Easton Walter hit a solo home run and
Daniela Gutierrez, who had walked, scored on a single by
Maddie Rolfs, extending the Lions' lead. At the end of the fourth inning, the score was Missouri Southern 3, Minnesota State Moorhead 0.
The fifth inning saw Missouri Southern capitalize further with
Taylor Nuckolls hitting a double and
Carsen Tinkler driving in two runs with another double.
Cady Dickey and pinch runner,
Gianna Saggese, each added a run. The inning concluded with the Lions leading 7-1.
In the sixth inning,
Micah Snider, coming in as a pinch hitter, hit a two-run home run, bringing in
Grace McNulty who had singled to secure the 9-1 run-rule victory.
Snider made a notable impact by hitting a home run and driving in two runs during the game. Walter also contributed significantly, recording two hits, including a home run, and adding two RBI. Tinkler added to the offensive effort with a double and two RBI. Additionally, Dillon showcased her speed on the bases, successfully stealing two bases.
Kadence Janney pitched five innings, allowing four hits and striking out six batters while issuing only one walk. Janney faced 20 batters, giving up one earned run, with a WHIP of 1.00. She earned the win to improve to 5-0 in 2026.
Emily Davis entered in relief, pitching an inning without allowing a hit or walk, while striking out two batters on 15 pitches. Both Lions' pitchers combined for eight strikeouts and limited the Dragons to four hits over game two Saturday.
NEXT: Missouri Southern next hosts St. Cloud State and Sioux Falls March 13-14 at the Teri Mathis-Zenner MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament. Both days are doubleheaders at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
