JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern baseball (29-13, 24-8 MIAA) edged past Missouri Western (22-20, 15-14 MIAA) 12-11 Sunday at Warren Turner Field to secure the series sweep.
With the victory, MSSU improved to 29-13 this season and 24-8 in MIAA conference play following the Lions' fourth-straight win.
Missouri Southern tallied 12 runs on 12 hits, including five doubles and a triple, while drawing 12 walks.
MSSU emerged victorious with a dramatic ninth-inning sequence that broke an 11-11 tie against the Griffons. After a pair of walks to
Will Potter and
Brayden Luikart, a series of wild pitches advanced the runners, culminating in Potter scoring the decisive run. This late rally secured the 12-11 Lions' win in a back-and-forth contest.
Earlier, Southern capitalized on key offensive plays, particularly in the fourth and sixth innings.
Jacob Filip's three-run double in the fourth was pivotal, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Ethan Clark's two-RBI triple in the sixth helped extend the lead to 10-7.
Despite these efforts, MWSU responded with a four-run eighth inning, including a three-run homer by Miguel Cantu, setting the stage for a tense final frame.
The contest saw Missouri Southern maintain momentum through timely hitting and capitalizing on free bases, including four walks by
Andrew Young. The Lions' ability to generate runs in high-pressure situations proved crucial, ultimately securing the narrow victory.
The Lions and Missouri Western ended the first inning scoreless, with each team leaving two runners on base.
In the second inning, MWSU took the lead with two runs scored on Micah Kobuszewski's single to left field, bringing home Luke Shannahan and Issac Sobieszczyk.
Southern responded in the bottom half with Clark's single to center field, driving in
Jason Lazo and
Andrew Young to tie the game at 2-2.
In the third inning, Filip singled and advanced to third, eventually scoring on
Andrew Young's sacrifice fly, putting the Lions ahead 3-2.
The fourth inning saw Missouri Southern extend its lead with Filip's three-RBI double and Lazo's RBI single, increasing the lead to 7-2.
Missouri Western narrowed the gap in the sixth inning with a five-run surge, highlighted by Cantu's three-run homer, making it a 7-7 game.
Missouri Southern quickly regained control in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs, including an RBI double by
Blake Jones and Clark's two-RBI triple, pushing the lead to 11-7.
Cy Darnell added an RBI double during the sequence.
Darnell finished 2-for-4 Sunday with two doubles.
The eighth inning saw MWSU mount a comeback, leveling the game at 11-11 with a three-run homer by Cantu followed by an RBI double by Seth Winkler.
In the ninth inning, Missouri Southern secured the 12-11 victory as Potter scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch after leading off with a walk.
Jacob Filip led the Missouri Southern offense with three runs and four hits (4-for-4), including two doubles, while driving in three runs.
Ethan Clark contributed significantly to the team's scoring by recording four RBI and hitting a triple. He now ranks tied for second at Missouri Southern for career hits with 272 following a two-hit Sunday.
Andrew Young added to the offensive effort with two runs and successfully stole a base to go with his four walks.
Blake Jones finished the game with two hits, one of which was a double, and collected one RBI.
Walker Sweet started on the mound for the Lions, pitching 5 2/3 innings while allowing six earned runs on eight hits, striking out seven, and walking three over 105 pitches.
Carter Stover and
Luke Beverlin each contributed a third of an inning, with Beverlin allowing three earned runs on three hits, including a home run.
Kyle Kaempf pitched a complete inning, striking out one and allowing no runs, while
Marcus Young and
Caden Carter closed the game. Carter secured the win (1-2 in 2026) after pitching a scoreless inning despite issuing one walk and a hit-by-pitch.
MSSU next heads to Pittsburg State on Tuesday, April 21. Game time is set for 3 p.m., CT in Pittsburg, Kansas. That game was shifted from Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m., CT.
Arvest Bank is the season-presenting sponsor for Missouri Southern baseball.
