JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern baseball (27-13, 22-8 MIAA) secured a 6-3 victory over Missouri Western (22-18, 15-12 MIAA) Friday afternoon at Warren Turner Field. MSSU hit three home runs and limited the opposition to three runs on seven hits.
The Lions improve to 27-13 in 2026 and 22-8 in MIAA conference play.
The Griffons secured an early lead in the second inning with a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot by Issac Huettl, scoring three runs in total. However, the Lions responded decisively in the fourth inning.
Jacob Filip's single set the stage, and
Blake Jones delivered an RBI single, aided by a fielding error that allowed another run.
Jason Lazo's two-run homer to right field capped the rally, swinging momentum in favor of Missouri Southern.
In the seventh inning, Southern extended its lead with a solo home run from
Andrew Young. Then, in the eighth,
Will Doherty added another run with a homer to left field, solidifying the advantage. The Lions' defense held firm, with a double play in the third and steady pitching to close out the game. Despite a late error in the eighth inning, Missouri Western could not capitalize, leaving two runners stranded and failing to mount a comeback.
Missouri Southern secured a 6-3 victory over the Griffons. The scoring began in the bottom of the first when
Aiden Hinkle singled to left field and later scored on Jones' RBI single, putting Missouri Southern ahead 1-0.
In the top of the second, Missouri Western responded with two home runs, including a two-run shot by Huettl, to take a 3-1 lead.
The Lions regained the lead in the fourth inning. Filip singled and scored on Jones' hit, aided by an error. Lazo followed with a two-run homer, giving Missouri Southern a 4-3 advantage.
Andrew Young extended the lead in the seventh with a solo home run, bringing the score to 5-3.
Doherty added another run in the eighth with a homer to left field, securing the final score of 6-3.
Missouri Southern's defense held firm, with
Marcus Young closing the game in the ninth inning.
Will Doherty contributed with a solo home run, adding one hit and one RBI to his performance.
Blake Jones recorded two hits and drove in two runs, helping the Lions' offensive efforts.
Jason Lazo also delivered with a home run, collecting two RBI and one stolen base.
On the mound,
Owen Schneider delivered an impressive performance, pitching eight innings, allowing six hits, and striking out five batters while issuing only a walk. Schneider threw a total of 102 pitches, 67 of which were strikes, and surrendered three earned runs, including two home runs, to secure his eighth win of the season (8-0).
Marcus Young came in for the final inning, allowing just one hit over 11 pitches, with eight strikes, to earn his fifth save of the season.
MSSU next hosts Missouri Western in game two of the series Saturday at Warren Turner Stadium. First pitch is 1 p.m., CT. The Lions will honor the careers of
Jason Lazo,
Ethan Clark,
Kyle Kaempf,
Jacob Filip and
Brayden Luikart ahead of Saturday's game as part of Senior Day 2026.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
