JOPLIN, Mo. — Top seeded and fifth ranked Missouri Southern softball (53-8) captured the Central Super Regional Championship Friday evening to punch its ticket to the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's College World Series.
After dropping the opener of the best of three series to three seed and 11th-ranked Central Oklahoma (46-16) Thursday, MSSU rallied for a pair of wins over the Bronchos Friday night at Joplin High School for the Central Super Regional title.
As the visiting team in both contests Friday, Missouri Southern bested Central Oklahoma, 6-1, and 7-4, to earn the distinction of top team in the Central Region.
MSSU captured its first-ever Super Regional title Friday and have advanced to their third World Series (1990, 1992, previous two times) in program history. The Lions will compete at the NCAA Division II Women's College World Series for the first time since 1992 when Missouri Southern was crowned National Champions.
With the pair of wins Friday, MSSU has now registered a program-best 53 wins in 2026 which surpassed the 2001 season's mark of 52-12.
Sophomore left fielder
Bailey Dillon stole her program-best 48th base of the season for the top spot in the MSSU single-season record books.
No. 1 seed & #5-ranked MSSU 6, No. 3 seed & #11-ranked Central Oklahoma 1
Missouri Southern captured a decisive 6-1 game two victory over Central Oklahoma to force a winner-take all, if necessary, game three. Missouri Southern accumulated 10 hits and scored three runs in the fifth inning to pull away from the Bronchos.
Central Oklahoma took an early lead in the first inning when Rylee Lemos scored on a groundout by Haley Gallo. The Bronchos led 1-0 after the first inning.
Missouri Southern tied the game in the third inning.
Bailey Dillon walked and stole second, then scored on a single by
Taylor Nuckolls. The score was tied 1-1 after the third inning.
In the fifth inning, MSSU broke the game open with three runs.
Micah Snider, who pinch ran for
Easton Walter, scored after
Katie Gray was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. A sacrifice fly by
Carsen Tinkler and an RBI single by
Maddie Rolfs brought the score to 4-1 in favor of the Lions after five innings.
The Lions added two more insurance runs in the seventh inning. Gray scored after being hit by a pitch on a single from Rolfs.
Grace McNulty, who pinch ran for Tinkler, scored on a sacrifice fly from
Avery Sue Davis. The score was 6-1 after the seventh inning.
Taylor Nuckolls tallied two hits (2-for-4) and one RBI, playing a key role in the team's scoring.
Bailey Dillon recorded two hits (2-for-3) and scored twice, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output.
Maddie Rolfs added three hits (3-for-4) and drove in two runs, showcasing her effectiveness at the plate.
Kiki Pickens delivered a standout performance for Southern, pitching a complete game over seven innings. Pickens allowed only one earned run and four hits while striking out four batters. With no walks issued, she maintained excellent control, throwing 68 pitches with 55 strikes.
No. 1 seed & #5-ranked MSSU 7, No. 3 seed & #11-ranked Central Oklahoma 4
Missouri Southern secured a 7-4 victory over Central Oklahoma at Joplin High School to capture the 2026 NCAA Division II Central Super Regional Championship.
MSSU scored four runs in the sixth inning to seal the win. Missouri Southern recorded five RBI and struck out eight Bronchos batters over seven innings in the Super Regional clincher.
Central Oklahoma took an early lead in the second inning when Brooklyn Lyles homered to left field, driving in two runs. UCO led 2-0 by the end of the second inning.
MSSU responded in the fourth inning.
Katie Gray walked, and after a series of plays,
Maddie Rolfs hit a three-run homer to left field, bringing in
Emily Perry and pinch runner
Daniela Gutierrez.
This provided the Lions a 3-2 lead before the Bronchos evened the scoring in their bottom half of the fourth on a Brooklyn Ryan infield single.
In the sixth inning, Missouri Southern took control. Gray singled, followed by Perry's RBI double. Errors by Central Oklahoma allowed Perry and
Avery Sue Davis to score, with
Gianna Saggese contributing an RBI single. Another run scored on a wild pitch, giving MSSU a 7-3 lead at the end of the sixth inning.
Central Oklahoma added a run in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI triple by Brooklyn Ryan, but the Lions maintained their lead (7-4).
Maddie Rolfs led the offensive effort with a home run and three RBI, contributing significantly to the team's scoring.
Emily Perry added a double and scored twice, also driving in a run.
Gianna Saggese collected a hit while driving in a run and scoring once.
Kiki Pickens pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits. Pickens also recorded four strikeouts and two walks, throwing 68 pitches with 44 strikes, and was credited with the win, improving her record in 2026 to 26-3. She now has 191 strikeouts this season (465 career strikeouts).
Emily Davis started the game for Missouri Southern, pitching two innings and allowing two earned runs off three hits, including a home run, while striking out four batters. She issued two walks and hit one batter, throwing 49 pitches with 27 strikes.
Due to inclement weather and field conditions, Missouri Southern softball's 2026 NCAA Division II Central Super Regional Day 2 on Friday, May 22 against Central Oklahoma was altered. Originally scheduled for a 3 p.m., CT start at Pat Lipira Softball Complex, the game was moved to Joplin High School with a 6 p.m. first pitch.
NEXT: Missouri Southern will next compete in the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's College World Series. The Finals begin Thursday, May 28 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
