JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern State (21-12, 16-7 MIAA) fell to Central Oklahoma (17-17, 8-12 MIAA) with a final score of 9-6 on Friday at Warren Turner Field. Despite the loss, the Lions managed to hit six doubles and one home run in the contest.
Central Oklahoma opened the scoring in the first inning with a solo home run by Drake Lee, followed by an RBI double from Trevor Rowe, taking a 2-0 lead. MSSU was unable to respond in its half of the inning, leaving the score at 2-0.
In the second inning, Central Oklahoma capitalized on an error, adding two unearned runs, including a sacrifice fly by Kade Sheldon, extending its lead to 4-0. Missouri Southern managed a ground-rule double by
Blake Jones but failed to score, maintaining the 4-0 margin through two innings.
Central Oklahoma added two more runs in the third inning with a sacrifice fly by Kade Sheldon and a stolen home, increasing the lead to 6-0. Southern responded with their first run of the game in the bottom of the third.
Will Potter scored on a sacrifice fly by
Will Doherty, reducing the deficit to 6-1.
The Lions continued to chip away in the fourth inning when
Jason Lazo scored on a fielder's choice by
Ethan Clark, making it 6-2. Central Oklahoma held its lead through the fifth inning, adding another run from a single by Elijah Alexander, moving the score to 7-2.
In the seventh inning, Central Oklahoma widened the gap with two runs on a single by Haden O'Toole, increasing its lead to 9-2. MSSU scored a run in the bottom of the inning when
Brayden Luikart crossed the plate on an error, bringing the score to 9-3.
Southern mounted a rally in the eighth inning with a pair of RBI doubles by
Brayden Luikart and
Will Doherty, cutting Central Oklahoma's lead to 9-5. In the ninth inning,
Jacob Filip hit a solo home run, bringing the Lions closer at 9-6, but the comeback fell short.
Central Oklahoma secured a 9-6 victory over the Lions.
Gabe Perry started the game for Missouri Southern, pitching 1 1/3 innings while allowing four earned runs on four hits, including a home run, and striking out one.
Lane Chapman came in as relief, pitching 2 2/3 innings, striking out three, but allowing three earned runs on five hits.
Kyle Kaempf delivered three innings of relief, giving up two earned runs on four hits and striking out three.
Braden Ray closed the game with a strong performance, striking out five in two scoreless innings and allowing only one hit.
Brayden Luikart excelled with two doubles and three hits, contributing two runs and one RBI.
Jacob Filip made a notable impact, hitting a home run and collecting two RBIs from two hits.
Will Doherty delivered with a double and drove in two runs.
Ethan Clark added two hits and recorded an RBI, further supporting the team's efforts.
