JOPLIN, Mo. — No. 11 Missouri Southern softball split its MIAA doubleheader with Central Missouri Friday at the Pat Lipira Complex. The Lions dropped the opener 7-5 before bouncing back for a 4-3 win in game two.
With the split, Southern moves to 36-7 overall and 11-4 in MIAA play.
Game 1: Central Missouri 7, #11 Missouri Southern 5
Central Missouri used early runs and steady offense to take the opener 7-5.
The Jennies scored twice in the second inning, both unearned, and added two more in the third to build a 4-0 lead.
Southern responded in the fourth, cutting into the deficit behind a two-run home run from
Katie Gray and an RBI single from
Emma Mason to make it 4-3.
After Central Missouri added a run in the fifth, the Lions answered with a sacrifice fly from
Taylor Nuckolls to pull within one at 5-4.
The Jennies added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings to extend the lead, and Southern's late push fell short despite a run scored in the final frame.
Gray led the Lions with a home run and two RBIs, while Nuckolls drove in two runs.
Easton Walter added a hit and a stolen base.
Kiki Pickens made the start, allowing four runs (one earned) over 2.1 innings.
Kadence Janney provided solid relief, striking out six over 4.2 innings.
Game 2: #10 Missouri Southern 4, Central Missouri 3
Missouri Southern edged Central Missouri 4-3 in a tightly contested game two at the Pat Lipira Complex, scoring in four different innings and striking out 10 Jennies.
The Lions struck first in the third inning when
Bailey Dillon tripled and scored on a
Taylor Nuckolls double to take a 1-0 lead.
Southern added to its advantage in the fourth as
Carsen Tinkler singled and pinch-runner
Micah Snider advanced to third on a sacrifice before scoring on an
Emma Mason groundout to make it 2-0.
Central Missouri rallied in the sixth, plating three runs to tie the game at 3-3.
Emily Perry quickly answered in the bottom half, launching a solo home run to put the Lions back in front, 4-3.
In the seventh,
Easton Walter singled and stole second before pinch-runner
Daniela Gutierrez came around to score on a
Maddie Rolfs single, sealing the victory.
Emily Perry led the offense with a home run, one RBI, and a stolen base.
Taylor Nuckolls added a double and RBI, while
Katie Gray contributed a double and a stolen base.
Emily Davis struck out seven over 5.1 innings, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned).
Kiki Pickens earned the win in relief, tossing 1.2 innings with three strikeouts and improving to 15-3 on the season.
Missouri Southern continues its homestand Saturday, hosting Rogers State for Senior Day at the Pat Lipira Complex.
