ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — No. 10-ranked Missouri Southern softball (35-5, 10-2 MIAA) swept its doubleheader over Missouri Western (24-15, 5-11 MIAA) Friday at Griffon Softball Field.
With the pair of victories Friday, MSSU improved to 35-5 overall and 10-2 in MIAA play following its ninth-straight victory. The Lions are second overall in the league.
#10 Missouri Southern 3, Missouri Western 1
Missouri Southern secured a 3-1 victory over Missouri Western Friday at Griffon Softball Field. MSSU recorded six hits, including two doubles and a home run, in the game one win.
Missouri Western attempted a late rally in the seventh inning, sparked by Sydney Young's triple to right field, but Southern held its ground. A groundout by Sophie Johnson scored Young, narrowing the gap, but the Lions closed the door for a 3-1 victory.
Missouri Southern took control in the sixth inning, extending its lead to 3-0 with a decisive sequence.
Taylor Nuckolls singled down the right-field line, setting the stage for
Katie Gray's two-run homer down the left field line. This timely extra-base hit added crucial insurance runs.
Earlier, in the third inning,
Bailey Dillon doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch, eventually scoring on
Maddie Rolfs' RBI double, providing Southern with its initial 1-0 lead.
Katie Gray contributed significantly with a two-run home run, providing crucial scoring for the Lions.
Taylor Nuckolls recorded two hits and scored one run, helping to maintain offensive momentum.
Maddie Rolfs also added a double and an RBI, further advancing the team's scoring efforts.
Kiki Pickens delivered a standout performance for the Lions, pitching a complete game in the matchup against the Griffons. Pickens allowed just one earned run and one hit over seven innings, demonstrating control with only one walk issued. She struck out five batters and threw 63 of her 96 pitches for strikes. This effort improved her record to 13-2 in 2026.
#10 Missouri Southern 7, Missouri Western 2
MSSU secured a decisive 7–2 victory over Missouri Western in game two of the doubleheader Friday at the Griffon Softball Field.
Southern was powered by two home runs and a strong pitching performance that included 10 strikeouts, allowing only five hits over seven innings.
MWSU tied the game in the third inning when Kalee Higdon doubled to left center, bringing in Brooklynn Clark, who had reached on an error. However, Missouri Southern seized control in the fourth inning, with
Katie Gray's two-run homer to right field, scoring
Taylor Nuckolls, giving the Lions a 3–1 lead. The inning was further bolstered by
Emily Perry's single, although no further runs were added at that moment.
MSSU extended its lead in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a fielding error and a bases-loaded walk to score three runs.
Gianna Saggese's bases-loaded walk brought in
Grace McNulty, and
Bailey Dillon's single down the left-field line added two more, stretching the lead to 6–2. In the seventh inning,
Carsen Tinkler's solo homer to left field solidified the win.
Missouri Western was unable to mount a comeback, as Southern's defense held firm, closing the game with a 7–2 victory.
MSSU opened the scoring in the first inning when Dillon, after being hit by a pitch, advanced to third and scored on a throw as
Maddie Rolfs stole second. The inning concluded with Missouri Southern leading 1–0.
In the fourth inning, Nuckolls singled and was brought home by a two-run homer from Gray, extending the lead. The inning ended with MSSU ahead 3–1.
The sixth inning saw Missouri Southern capitalize again.
Grace McNulty, pinch running for
Carsen Tinkler, scored on a bases-loaded walk by
Gianna Saggese. Dillon then delivered a two-run single, increasing the lead. MSSU led 6–2 at the close of the inning.
In the seventh inning, Tinkler hit a solo home run, rounding out the scoring for Southern.
Bailey Dillon contributed significantly with two RBI, helping her team secure the win.
Carsen Tinkler added a strong performance by hitting a home run and collecting one RBI.
Katie Gray led the scoring with two runs and two RBI, including a home run. She now has 11 homers in 2026 and has surpassed double-digits home runs for the second-straight season. Gray, a senior from Lansing, Kansas, has now hit home runs in three consecutive games.
In the circle,
Emily Davis pitched a complete game, striking out 10 batters and allowing one earned run over seven innings. She pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and two runs, only one of which was earned. Davis achieved a career-best 10 strikeouts without issuing a walk, throwing 119 pitches with 82 strikes. Her effort secured her 14th win of the season, moving her record to 14-3 over her freshman campaign in 2026.
NEXT: Missouri Southern next faces Northwest Missouri in a doubleheader Saturday. Due to the threat of inclement weather, the doubleheader has been moved to later in the day in Maryville, Missouri. Game times are now 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., CT Saturday at Bearcat Softball Field.
