JOPLIN, Mo. — Top seeded and fifth ranked Missouri Southern softball (49-7) edged out No. 8 seeded Augustana (30-27) with a 6-5 victory Friday at the Pat Lipira Complex to open the 2026 NCAA Division II Central Regional. The Lions capitalized on four doubles and four stolen bases to secure the win.
With the victory, MSSU improved to 49-7 in 2026 to extend the Lions' win streak to 13.
MSSU will now face No. 4 Seed Southern Arkansas Friday at 2 p.m., CT. The Muleriders picked up a 9-2 win over No. 5 seed St. Cloud State to wrap Thursday's opening day of the Regional.
SCSU and Augustana will continue Friday's Regional with an elimination game set for 4:30 p.m., CT.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Vikings pulled ahead on MSSU with a pivotal fifth inning. Augustana capitalized on a wild pitch and a three-run homer by Speltz, swinging the momentum with four runs to seize a 5-4 lead. Despite this setback, the Lions managed to reclaim the lead in the bottom of the same inning.
Carsen Tinkler's double set the stage, followed by
Emily Perry's single and stolen base.
Maddie Rolfs' sacrifice fly brought home Tinkler, and
Avery Sue Davis' RBI double scored Perry, securing a 6-5 advantage.
Earlier in the game, Missouri Southern established an initial lead with a two-run double by Perry in the first inning, driving in
Bailey Dillon and
Taylor Nuckolls.
The third inning saw Dillon double and score on an error after Nuckolls reached first. Nuckolls later scored on another error, extending the lead to 4-1 by the end of the inning.
In the fifth inning, the Vikings mounted a comeback with a three-run homer by Speltz, tying the game briefly before Augustana added another run to lead 5-4. Missouri Southern responded with Tinkler doubling, followed by Perry and
Avery Sue Davis each contributing RBI, regaining the lead with a score of 6-5.
Southern's defense held strong in the seventh inning, with a double play thwarting the Vikings' final rally attempt, preserving the one-run difference.
Bailey Dillon led Southern's offense with three hits and scored twice, adding one stolen base.
Emily Perry contributed significantly by driving in three runs and collecting two hits, including a double.
Taylor Nuckolls scored two runs and added a hit while also stealing a base.
Kiki Pickens delivered a strong performance for Missouri Southern, pitching 5 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run. Pickens issued two walks and struck out three batters, conceding five hits on 68 pitches, 44 of which were strikes, improving her overall record to 22-3 (52-16 in career). Pickens now has 449 career strikeouts.
Emily Davis pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief, facing challenges as she allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on five hits, including one home run. Davis walked one, throwing 41 pitches, with 24 strikes.
MSSU will next face No. 4 Seed Southern Arkansas Friday at 2 p.m., CT at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
