CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — No. 2 seed Missouri Southern softball (54-10) fell to No. 5 seed West Texas A&M (54-9) 6-3 in extra innings over Day 3 of the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's College World Series Saturday at Frost Stadium.
MSSU concludes the 2026 season with a program-best record of 54-10 after capturing the 2026 MIAA Regular-Season, 2026 MIAA Tournament and 2026 NCAA DII Central Region titles. The Lions went 1-2 over the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's College World Series.
The Lions scored all three of their runs in the fifth inning Saturday, highlighted by a home run, but could not overcome West Texas A&M's four home runs throughout the game.
West Texas A&M seized control in the ninth inning with a series of decisive swings, breaking a 3-3 tie. Avery Cannon initiated the rally with a solo home run to left center. Bella Holland and Jordyn De Los Santos followed with back-to-back homers, extending the lead to 6-3. This power surge proved insurmountable for Southern in the extra inning final frame.
Missouri Southern mounted a comeback in the fifth inning, erasing a three-run deficit.
Maddie Rolfs sparked the rally with a solo homer to left center. It marked her second homer in as many games and third in her last four games.
Katie Gray delivered a clutch two-RBI single, tying the game at 3-3. Despite this momentum, the Lions were unable to capitalize on opportunities in the later innings, leaving runners on base in several frames.
In the eighth, Missouri Southern threatened with runners on first and second, but a double play ended the inning. The Lions couldn't overcome the deficit in the ninth, despite a leadoff double by
Gianna Saggese. The late, extra inning West Texas A&M homers ultimately decided the game.
West Texas A&M took an early lead in the first inning as Trinity Kuntz singled down the right field line, allowing De Los Santos to score from second. The inning ended with West Texas A&M leading 1-0.
In the third inning, Holland extended West Texas A&M's lead with a solo home run to left field. Later in the inning, Kuntz singled to right center, driving in another run as De Los Santos scored an unearned run from first. West Texas A&M was ahead 3-0 at the end of the third.
MSSU responded in the fifth inning. Rolfs hit a solo home run to left center. Later, Gray singled to right field, bringing home
Daniela Gutierrez and
Bailey Dillon, tying the game at 3-3.
The ninth inning saw West Texas A&M break the tie with home runs from Cannon, Holland, and De Los Santos, each adding a run. Southern could not respond in its half of the inning, leaving the final score at 6-3 in favor of West Texas A&M.
Katie Gray recorded two hits (2-for-4) and drove in two runs, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output.
Maddie Rolfs added a solo home run, going 1-for-4.
Carsen Tinkler also collected two hits (2-for-4).
Bailey Dillon scored one run and added a hit, helping to keep the momentum going for the team.
Kiki Pickens started for Missouri Southern, pitching 3 2/3 innings while allowing four hits and three runs, two of which were earned. She recorded three strikeouts and issued two walks, throwing 59 pitches with 31 strikes.
Emily Davis (19-6) came on in relief, pitching 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs. Davis struck out three batters and gave up three home runs, throwing 104 pitches with 74 strikes.
Seniors
Cady Dickey,
Katie Gray,
Taylor Nuckolls,
Emma Mason,
Emily Perry and
Carsen Tinkler competed in their final game at Missouri Southern Saturday.
The Lions made their third appearance in the NCAA Division II Women's College World Series Saturday and first since 1992. MSSU picked up a win at the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's College World Series on Thursday (May 28), the Lions first World Series win since May 17, 1992.
