Kinnison shutout gives MSSU softball a split with Rogers State

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Sophomore pitcher Haley Kinnsion fanned seven in game two as the Missouri Southern softball team split its home finale against Rogers State (Okla.) this afternoon at Lea Kungle Field falling 6-0 in game one before winning game two 3-0 behind Kinnison's third shutout of the year.

Game one saw the Lions (17-33) only able to muster five hits as Rogers State's starting pitcher Yolanda Rios gave Southern fits all game. The Hillcats (14-32) jumped right on the Lions early platting three unearned runs in the first off of Southern's starting pitcher Sarah Williams. Rogers State added a run in the second on a RBI single to center, one more in the third on a single down the right field line and finally one more in the seventh to take a 6-0 lead.

With only three hits through the first six innings off of Rios, the Lions made one final rally in the seventh asKathryn Goins led off with a single to right center moving to second on a single to left by Brooklyn Farrell to put runners on first and second with no outs. Unfortunately, Southern was unable to add anything from there asBrooke Swadley struck out and Dru Coleman hit into a double play. Shelby Romines went 2-for-3 from the plate while Williams pitched all seven innings allowing only two earned runs and struck out two.

Southern found much more success in game two as they collected eight hits with eight of the Lions nine position players collected one hit each. The Lions jumped on the Hillcats' starter Brooklyne Harbert early scoring two run in the first inning. Michala Wood led off with a double down the right field line and came around to score on a error by RSU's first baseman. Dawn Grass hit a one-out single up the middle as she came around to score a single to right center by Alexah Replogle to give the Lions an early 2-0 lead.

The Lions added a run in the second to go up 3-0 as Romines hit a two-out RBI single past the shortstop scoringJessica Castoe from third to collect her 31st RBI of the season. It was all Kinnison from there as she shut down Rogers State's offense limiting the Hillcats to five hits while fanning seven. Pitching her 13th complete game of the season, she tallied win number ten on the year.

Southern resumes MIAA action on Friday traveling to Central Missouri (25-19, 12-10 MIAA) to face the Jennies at 4 p.m. at the South Recreation Complex.