JOPLIN, Mo. — No. 11 Missouri Southern softball swept its MIAA doubleheader against Rogers State Saturday at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex. The Lions opened with a 2-0 no-hitter before completing the sweep with a 4-2 victory in game two.
Prior to first pitch, Missouri Southern honored its six seniors as part of Senior Day: #26 Cady Dickey, #24 Katie Gray, #16 Taylor Nuckolls, #9 Emma Mason, #20 Emily Perry and #3 Carsen Tinkler.
With the sweep, Southern improves to 39-7 overall and 14-4 in MIAA play.
Game 1: #10 Missouri Southern 2, Rogers State 0
Missouri Southern got a dominant performance in the circle as the Lions tossed a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over Rogers State.
Both teams were held scoreless through the first five innings before Southern broke through in the sixth. Easton Walter singled to lead off the frame before pinch-runner Grace McNulty moved into scoring position. Katie Gray then delivered the big swing, launching a two-run home run to give the Lions the lead.
That was all the support needed as Southern closed out the win in the seventh.
Gray led the offense with a two-run home run, while Emily Perry added a double and a walk.
Kiki Pickens was outstanding in the circle, throwing a complete-game no-hitter with seven strikeouts to improve to 16-3 on the season.
Game 2: #10 Missouri Southern 4, Rogers State 2
Missouri Southern completed the sweep with a 4-2 win in the nightcap behind a balanced offensive effort and strong pitching.
The Lions jumped out early in the first inning as Bailey Dillon and Taylor Nuckolls each singled before Emily Perry drove them both in with a two-RBI single to make it 2-0.
Southern added to its lead in the fifth when Carsen Tinkler singled ahead of a two-run home run from Avery Sue Davis, extending the advantage to 4-0.
Rogers State responded in the sixth with a two-run homer to cut the deficit in half, but the Lions held firm down the stretch.
Emily Davis earned the win, striking out eight over six innings while allowing just two hits and two runs. Kiki Pickens closed the door in the seventh to record the save.
Dillon led the offense with three hits, while Perry added two hits and two RBIs. Davis drove in two runs with her home run in the fifth.
