EMPORIA, Kan. — Top seeded and No. 7-ranked Missouri Southern softball (47-7) secured a decisive 6–1 victory over No. 4-seeded Emporia State (29-18) in the 2026 MIAA Championship Semifinal Friday at Trusler Stadium.
With the win, MSSU will compete for the MIAA Tournament Championship for the first time since 2023. The Lions will face the winner of No. 2 seed Central Oklahoma and No. 6 seed Rogers State Saturday at noon in the Championship Finals. Missouri Southern will look to secure its sixth MIAA Tournament Championship in program history and first since 2001.
Missouri Southern improved to 47-7 following the Lions' 11th-straight victory. Emporia State now has a record of 29-18.
MSSU powered its way with a season-best matching three home runs, contributing to the team's 11-hit performance.
Southern secured a decisive victory over ESU with a powerful display in the third and fifth innings. The breakthrough came in the third when
Bailey Dillon singled and stole second, setting the stage for
Katie Gray's two-run homer down the left field line.
Carsen Tinkler followed with a single, and
Emily Perry extended the lead with an RBI double to right center, giving Missouri Southern a 3–0 advantage.
The momentum continued in the fifth inning, highlighted by back-to-back home runs. After
Micah Snider pinch-ran for Tinkler and scored on a two-run homer from
Maddie Rolfs,
Avery Sue Davis added a solo shot down the left field line. This power surge extended the Lions' lead to 6–1, effectively sealing the game.
Emily Davis pitched in relief of
Kiki Pickens, shutting down the Hornets' offense, striking out five across three innings to close out the victory.
The scoring began for the Lions in the third inning when Dillon singled and subsequently scored on a two-run homer by Gray. Tinkler followed with a single and scored on a double by Perry, bringing the score to 3–0 for Missouri Southern by the end of the third inning.
In the fifth inning, Emporia State managed to score one run when Kinsey Perine tripled and was driven in by Taryn Burkhardt's single. However, Missouri Southern quickly responded. Tinkler singled, and Snider, pinch-running, scored on a home run by Rolfs.
Avery Sue Davis followed with a solo home run, concluding the inning with a 6–1 lead for Missouri Southern.
The remainder of the game saw strong pitching from Missouri Southern, with
Emily Davis securing the win in relief.
Katie Gray delivered a strong performance, hitting a home run and driving in two runs. The homer was her career-best 16th of the season (41 career home runs at MSSU), improving on her MSSU single-season record of 15 set in 2025.
Maddie Rolfs also contributed significantly, matching Gray with a home run and two RBI. It marked her third home run of the campaign.
Avery Sue Davis added to the team's efforts with a home run (fourth in 2026) and one RBI.
In the circle, 2026 MIAA Pitcher of the Year,
Kiki Pickens secured the win (21-3) with four strikeouts over four innings, while 2026 MIAA Freshman of the Year
Emily Davis earned the save (second in 2026), striking out five batters over three innings.
Pickens started for Missouri Southern, pitching four innings and allowing an earned run on five hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. Pickens threw 72 pitches, 46 of which were strikes, securing her 21st win of the season. She improved to a career-best 21-3 in 2026 and has 162 strikeouts (two away from matching her career-high 164 strikeouts in 2025, third in MSSU single-season history). Pickens also ranks third all-time for career strikeouts at MSSU with 436 and can move into second with three more.
Emily Davis came on in relief, pitching three innings and striking out five while allowing two hits. Davis threw 45 pitches, 37 for strikes, for her second save in 2026.
MSSU will next face the winner of No. 2 seed Central Oklahoma and No. 6 seed Rogers State Saturday in the 2026 MIAA Championship Finals. First pitch is set for at noon, CT.
