JOPLIN, Mo. — No. 9-ranked Missouri Southern softball (33-5, 8-2 MIAA) swept its doubleheader over Northeastern State University Friday at the Pat Lipira Complex.
With the pair of wins, MSSU improved to 33-5 in 2026 and 8-2 in league play. The Lions have won their last seven contests and continue to build momentum in MIAA action.
Missouri Southern used a combination of aggressive baserunning and timely power to secure the sweep, outscoring Northeastern State 11-4 across the two games.
No. 9 Missouri Southern 4, Northeastern State 2
Missouri Southern secured a 4–2 victory over Northeastern State in game one, using speed on the bases and consistent early scoring to take control.
The Lions struck first in the opening inning as
Bailey Dillon was hit by a pitch, stole two bases, and scored on a
Taylor Nuckolls double to make it 1-0.
Southern added to its lead in the second inning when
Avery Sue Davis singled and advanced around the bases on steals before scoring on an RBI single by
Easton Walter. In the third,
Maddie Rolfs doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from
Carsen Tinkler to push the lead to 3-0.
Dillon's speed again proved pivotal in the fifth inning as she singled, stole second, advanced on a groundout, and scored on a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 4-0.
Northeastern State answered with two runs in the sixth inning, but the Lions held on defensively to secure the win.
Dillon led the way with three stolen bases and two runs scored, while Nuckolls drove in two runs with a double. Rolfs added a double and a run scored in the effort.
Kiki Pickens earned the win in the circle, tossing 5 1/3 innings while allowing two earned runs on four hits and striking out three.
Kadence Janney closed the game with 1 2/3 innings of one-hit relief, striking out two and earning her sixth save of the season.
No. 9 Missouri Southern 7, Northeastern State 2
Missouri Southern completed the sweep with a 7–2 victory in game two, powered by a five-run third inning and a dominant performance in the circle.
The Lions broke the game open in the third inning as
Katie Gray singled to start the rally before
Gianna Saggese scored on an RBI single from
Bailey Dillon.
Maddie Rolfs followed with an RBI triple, and
Emily Perry capped the inning with a three-run home run to give MSSU a 5-0 lead.
Gray added a solo home run in the fourth inning to extend the advantage to 6-0.
Southern added one more run in the sixth as Perry scored on a sacrifice fly by
Easton Walter, pushing the lead to 7-0 before Northeastern State plated two runs in the seventh.
Perry led the offense with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored, while Gray added two hits and a home run. Dillon contributed two hits and an RBI in the win.
Emily Davis delivered a complete game in the circle, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out nine without issuing a walk to improve to 13-3 on the season.
NEXT: The Lions hit the road for a MIAA matchup Friday, April 10, facing Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo., with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
