JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern baseball (28-13, 23-8 MIAA) secured a 6-4 victory over Missouri Western (22-19, 15-13 MIAA) on Senior Day Saturday at Warren Turner Field. The Lions delivered a decisive three-run sixth inning, paving the way to the win.
Missouri Southern now has a record of 28-13 and is ranked second in the MIAA standings with a conference record of 23-8. Missouri Western now has a record of 22-19 and holds a conference record of 15-13 in the MIAA.
With the victory, MSSU also secured the series on Missouri Western.
In a pivotal sixth inning, Missouri Southern capitalized on a series of strategic plays to seize control of the game. After a walk to
Will Doherty and another to
Jacob Filip,
Blake Jones delivered a single to load the bases.
Jason Lazo then reached on a fielder's choice, advancing runners.
Andrew Young followed with a crucial RBI single, and
Cy Darnell drew a bases-loaded walk.
Aiden Hinkle capped the rally with an RBI single, evening the score at 4-4.
Missouri Southern then took control in the seventh inning as Filip scored on a Lazo single, and Jones added another run on a sacrifice bunt by Young. This provided the Lions a 6-4 lead.
Earlier in the game, Missouri Western held a slight edge with a home run in the first inning and a run-scoring double in the fifth. However, Southern's defense and timely pitching prevented further damage. The seventh inning saw another surge from the Lions, as Lazo's RBI single and Young's sacrifice bunt extended the lead.
Marcus Young closed the door in the ninth with two strikeouts, ensuring the Lions' victory.
Missouri Western took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when Issac Huettl homered to right field, bringing in Jordan Austin. Southern was unable to score despite three hits.
Missouri Southern got on the board in the third inning as
Brayden Luikart singled to right center and later scored on a double by Doherty. This narrowed the gap to 2-1, Missouri Western.
In the fifth inning, Missouri Western extended its lead to 3-1 on a Miguel Cantu double that drove in Micah Kobuszewski.
The sixth inning saw the Lions rally with three runs. After a series of walks and a single, Filip scored on an
Andrew Young single. Jones scored when Darnell walked with the bases loaded, and Lazo scored on a Hinkle single. The inning ended with the score tied at 4-4.
Missouri Southern then pulled ahead in the seventh inning with two runs.
Brayden Luikart led the Lions with three hits and scored one run.
Jacob Filip added two hits and crossed the plate twice.
Andrew Young drove in two runs while also contributing a hit and a stolen base.
Michael Mulhollon started on the mound for the Lions, pitching five innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits, including a home run, while striking out a trio of batters.
Jackson Gamble followed with three innings of relief, conceding an earned run on two hits, striking out three, and earning the win to improve to 2-0 in 2026.
Marcus Young closed the game, pitching the final inning, issuing a walk, and recording two strikeouts to secure his sixth save of the season.
MSSU honored 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.
The Lions wrap the weekend MIAA series with Missouri Western Sunday at Warren Turner Field. First pitch is 1 p.m., CT.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
