Southern DH named All-American

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern junior designated hitter Jesse Rall has been named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America team, the association announced today.

Rall led the team in home runs (16) and RBIs (61) this season and he ranked third in the league in both home runs and home runs per game, third in RBIs and second in slugging. He tied the single-season home run record at MSSU and also ranks 15th nationally in home runs and 22nd in slugging.

He is the third Lion to earn All-America honors this season and he is named to his second list. Cody Hutchinson, Rall and Chris Hoffman were named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-America team, while Hoffman and Hutchinson were named to the Daktronics/SID's team.

Eight MSSU baseball players named All-Academic

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Eight Missouri Southern baseball players have been named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, the league has announced.

To achieve honor roll status, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.

Earning academic honors were: Robbe Ewing (3.504 - Marketing/Management), Sean Goostree, 3.352 - Criminal Justice), Brett Graham (3.863 - Education), Kanon Hoover (3.438 - Education), Derek Mann (3.117 - Education), Mitchell Osburn (3.324 - Criminal Justice), Matt Smith (3.154 - Kinesiology), and Dylan Weaver(3.588 - Marketing/Management).

MSSU's Hubbard to coach all-star team in Brazil

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Women's Basketball Head Coach Ronda Hubbard has been selected to lead the USA Sports Events D2 Select Team.

"I am honored to be chosen to lead this outstanding group of MIAA players to Brazil," said Hubbard.

The 2015 Brazil Tour will be held from August 3-12 and include games in Rio de Janeiro, the host of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The D2 Select Team will be made up primarily of MIAA players and include: Sharese Jones, Tami Morice, and Camila Lacerda from MSSU; Kathryn Flott of Emporia State; Cathy Brugman and Kylie Gafford of Pittsburg State; Hunter Yoakum and Kelsey Williams of Lincoln (MO); and Dilonna Johnson of Southwest Baptist. Nicole Collier, head coach of Lincoln University will serve as Hubbard's assistant.

"It is going to be a tremendous experience for all involved as these great individual players get to combine their skill, intelligence, work ethic, competitive spirit, and most importantly their character to compete together vs. against each other. It is truly a tremendous opportunity for these players and myself to represent our league and the USA," Hubbard added.

Ron Smith, the director of USA Sports Events, has 22 years coaching and administration experience at the Division I level. He started USA Sports Events in order to give "once in a lifetime" opportunities to the athletes, coaches, administrators, and boosters involved. Some of his past tours included the University of Northern Iowa Men's Basketball Team's Brazil Tour in 2011, and Creighton University Men's Basketball Bahamas Tour in 2011, South Dakota State University Men's Basketball Brazil Tour in 2014, and 20 D3 Select Team tours that included destinations in Brazil and the Bahamas.

Whitey Herzog talks about his time with Cardinals and Royals

Two MSSU baseball players named to All-America team

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern baseball team had two more named All-America today as Chris Hoffmanand Cody Hutchinson were both named to the Daktronics/SID's All-America team.

Hoffman was a third-team selection at utility-pitcher. This season, Hoffman was one of the most complete players in the MIAA this year. He led the league and the Lions with a .430 batting average, while ranking second in the MIAA in total hits. Not to be done as a hitter, Hoffman was also a member of the Lions' weekend rotation this year, going 4-1 with a 4.19 ERA in five starts. He had two complete games, while striking out 25 and walking just five.

He is a semi-finalist for the Tino Martinez Award, which is given annually to Division II's top player. Hoffman was an All-Region pick on two different ballots.

Hutchinson was an honorable-mention selection at pitcher. This season, Hutchinson led the MIAA in wins this season and was third in earned run average as he finished 10-1 on the season with a 2.87 ERA, seven complete games, 88 strikeouts and only 20 walks. He also was tied for the league-lead in complete games. He was a first-team All-Region pick on three different ballots.

MSSU baseball lands three on All-Region team

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern baseball had three more players earn All-Region honors as the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings announced its All-Region teams.

Earning first-team honors were both designated hitter Jesse Rall ad Cody Hutchinson. Payton Walker was a second-team selection.

Hutchinson led the MIAA in wins this season and was third in earned run average as the junior finished 10-1 on the season with a 2.87 ERA, seven complete games, 88 strikeouts and only 20 walks. He also was tied for the league-lead in complete games with teammate Payton Walker.

Rall led the team in home runs (16) and RBIs (61) this season and he ranked third in the league in both home runs and home runs per game, third in RBIs and second in slugging. He tied the single-season home run record at MSSU and also ranks 15th nationally in home runs and 22nd in slugging.

This season, Walker tied with Hutchinson for the league-lead in complete games, while leading the MIAA in WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched), and ranking second in strikeouts and 4th in ERA. He finished the season 8-3 and also moved up the MSSU record books. Walker now has 19 wins in his career and that moves him into a tie for fourth place all-time in MSSU history. His 189 strikeouts rank him fifth all-time, while his 34 games started rank eighth all-time.

Rall and Hutchinson's names will now be placed on the All-American ballot.

MSSU track prepares for NCAA championships

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's and women's track and field team will head north to compete in the 2015 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships hosted by Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich.

The championships start tomorrow and run through Saturday at the Grand Valley State Track and Field Stadium.

Melanie Bower will start things off for the Lions as she will compete in the pole vault at 2 pm ET on Thursday. She qualified eighth in the event.

Brittani Reagan will start the first of two events for her as she competes in the long jump at 2:30 pm ET on Thursday. Reagan qualified 15th in the event.

The men open up the championships with the prelims in the 4x100m relay. The group of Jazz Allen, Erron Holley, Desmond Williams and Jeff Fraley qualified seventh in the event. The prelims of the 4x100m relay start at 5 pm ET on Thursday.

Fraley starts up his individual events with the prelims of the 100m dash at 6:25 pm ET on Thursday night. He is ranked second in the event.

Eric Schott is ranked 13th in the 10k and he will conclude action for the Lions on Thursday, starting his event at 8:50 pm ET.

Darion Boure starts things off on Friday as he competes in the triple jump at 4:45 pm ET. Boure is ranked sixth in the event. Nicklas Polizzi, currently ranked 11th in the discus, starts that event at 5 pm ET on Friday.

Fraley competes in the prelims of the 200m, an event he is ranked second, at 5:45 pm ET on Friday, while Kindra Emberton will run in the 800m prelims at 6 pm ET on Friday. Emberton is ranked 15th in the event.

Morgan Hold starts things off for the team on Saturday as he competes in the pole vault at 12:30 pm ET. Hold goes into the event ranked 11th.

Reagan competes in the triple jump at 12:45 pm ET on Saturday. She is ranked 14th in the event. Derek Webb competes in the last individual event for the Lions on Saturday as he will compete in the Javelin at 2:15 pm ET. He is ranked 16th in the event.

Should either Fraley, Emberton or the 4x100m relay team make the finals of their events they will take place on Saturday.

Nine MSSU softball players earn academic honors

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Nine Missouri Southern Softball Lions earned MIAA Academic Honors for the 2015 season release by the conference office Monday.

Five Lions were members of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll as redshirt freshman Dakoda Owings, sophomoreShelby Mitchell, and juniors Dru Coleman, Sarah Williams, and Michala Wood all earned GPAs of 3.0 or higher for the year.

Four Lions were named MIAA Scholar-Athletes, in order to obtain this distinction the player must have a 3.5 GPA or higher and was named to the All-MIAA team. Senior Kathryn Goins-Osburn earned had a 3.84 GPA in Math, senior Brooke Swadley finished with a 3.58 GPA in Kinesiology, while junior Alana Hester finished her season with a 3.74 GPA in Criminal Justice, and redshirt freshman Myranda Stewart had a 3.8 GPA in Kinesiology. All four Lions earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors for this past season.

MSSU men's track places 12 on academic honor roll

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's track and field team had 12 individuals named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll the conference announced.

In addition to the Academic Honor Roll, the Lions had three named MIAA Scholar Athlete.

To achieve honor roll status, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.

The MIAA Scholar Athlete Award is given to those who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50, have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms, and, if competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, earn All-MIAA honors.

Named to the Academic Honor Roll were: Jeff Fraley (3.56 - Biology), Ben Grant (3.68 - Biology), Morgan Hold(3.35 - Occupational Therapy), Nicklas Polizzi (3.72 - Biochemistry), Jacob Rowe (3.04 - Kinesiology), Tyler Rush (3.18 - Accounting), Drake Smelser (3.65 - Biology), Adrian Todd (3.19 - Kinesiology), Derek Webb (3.08 - Computer Information), Zach Williams (3.75 - Accounting), Colton Wooldridge (3.58 - Education), and Zach Wuest(3.42 - Kinesiology).

Fraley, Polizzi and Wooldridge all earned MIAA Scholar Athlete honors.

Fifteen MSSU women's track athletes receive academic honors

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's track and field team had 15 individuals named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll the conference announced.

In addition to the Academic Honor Roll, the Lions had seven named MIAA Scholar Athlete.

To achieve honor roll status, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.

The MIAA Scholar Athlete Award is given to those who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50, have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms, and, if competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, earn All-MIAA honors.

Named to the Academic Honor Roll were: Kayla Bartlesmeyer (3.79 - Accounting), Kaitlyn Belisle (3.66 - Kinesiology), Cora Butcher-Spellman (3.526 - Occupational Therapy), Kindra Emberton (3.11 - Kinesiology), Sierra Gray (4.00 - Occupational Therapy), Emily Harris (3.74 - Communications), Ashleigh McFarland (3.97 - Education), Addie Mengwasser (3.53 - Health Sciences), Kaylee Morgan (3.01 - Criminal Justice), Shelby Newell(3.93 - Education), Emily Paullus (3.65 - Education), Sydney Potts (3.57 - Nursing), Brittani Reagan (3.78 - Education), Dana Roberson (3.65 - Education), and Kelly Jo Roberts (3.38 - Kinesiology).

Belisle, Gray, Harris, Mengwasser, Potts, Reagan and Roberson all earned Scholar Athlete honors.

Video- Joplin Demize defeat FC Wichita in opener

MSSU baseball ends season with 40-14 record

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The 15th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team went toe-to-toe with the top ranked team in Division II, but the Lions fell 2-0 in 10 innings today to St. Cloud State, ending the Lions season with a 40-14 record.

Southern (40-14) picked up another masterful performance on the mound as Cody Hutchinson went nine and two thirds of an inning, striking out five and allowing just two runs in the tenth inning.

St. Cloud St. (52-4) got a complete-game two-hitter from Reese Gregory as the righty moved to 12-0 on the season.

The Lions had two hits in the game, one from Chris Hoffman and the other from Axel Johnson.

Hutchinson held the Huskies scoreless through nine, getting out of a few jams along the way, but SCSU broke out in the tenth. Zach Hoffman singled home Eric Loxtercamp and Karl Sorensen added a sacrifice fly to bring home Michael Jurgella.

The Lions finish the season with one of the best seasons in MSSU Baseball history. It's just the fourth 40-win season in school history. The five strikeouts in game two today and the nine in game one gave the pitching staff 410 on the season, breaking the record of 408 set in the 1991 season.

Southern finishes the season with a .973 fielding percentage, which is also a new school record, breaking the previous mark of .962 set in both 2012 and 2013. The 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings also breaks an MSSU record, besting the previous total of 8.07 set in that same 1991 season.

The team also came one walk too many from tying the season record for fewest walks in a season.

Individually, Jesse Rall tied the single-season record with 16 home runs, while Hutchinson finished with the second-most wins by a pitcher in school history.

MSSU women's basketball camps planned

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Women's Basketball head coach Ronda Hubbard announced the dates for the 2015 Summer Basketball Camps.

Coach Hubbard, her staff, and players will conduct five camps from April 18 through July 1, 2015.

Their first camp, Spring Fling! Camps, will be Saturday April 18 and is for grades 4-8 with focus on the fundamentals and shooting.

June 22-24 will be the overnight Young Players Camp for girls grades 4-8, which will feature instructions on fundamentals, shooting, and defense.

Day Camps will run June 25, Shooting Camp for grades 4-12, and June 28, High School Individual Camp. Team Camp will be June 29-July 1 and offers Junior High/Freshman division along with the Varsity and Junior Varsity divisions.

Registration is open now for the 2015 Ronda Hubbard Basketball Camps. You can go online to register atwww.mssuwomensbasketballcamps.com. For more information you can call Coach Hubbard at 417.625.9753 or email hubbard-r@mssu.edu.

Dates announced for MSSU men's basketball camps

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern men's basketball coach Jeff Boschee has announced the dates for the 2015 MSSU Men's Basketball Camps.

There will be four different camps this summer. The Elite Camp is for grades 10-12 and will be on June 7 inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. Times will run from 9 am to 4 pm.

The Shooting Camp will be on June 8-11 and will be for grades 2-12. It will be one-day camps from 6-7:30 pm. The Team Camp will be on June 5-6 and will be for both junior varsity and varsity level teams. This will start at noon each day and will be housed in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Individual Camps will be on June 8-12 for grades 2-9. This is a split-day camp with grades 2-6 going from 9 am - noon and grades 7-9 going from 1 pm to 4 pm.

For more information, please click on the link above or call the Missouri Southern Basketball office at 625-9701.

MSSU Soccer Prospect Clinic planned

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Women's Soccer head coach Alese Woolard announced the 2015 Prospect Clinic slated for August 1, 2015.

This clinic is for entering 9th-12th grade girls that would like to compete at the college level. Players attending this clinic will be exposed to training methods utilized by MSSU's coaching staff. Players will get a sense of a college soccer atmosphere and have the opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities. Goalkeeper-specific training sessions will be provided for goalkeepers interested in attending the clinic.

Coaching staff will include MSSU's Head Coach, Alese Woolard, and Assistant Coach, Stephanie Kirvan, who both have had substantial playing and coaching experiences at all levels which will provide a fun and challenging environment for each participant. Also assisting with the clinic will be current MSSU Women's Soccer Team Members. 

All players must bring cleats, shin guards, tennis shoes, water bottles, snacks, and any other items they feel necessary for the clinic. For this clinic, sessions will be held at Hal Bodon Field. Other facilities that may be used are Leggett and Platt Athletic Center and Robert Ellis Young Gym.  

To register visit mssusoccercamps.com and this clinic is limited to the first 50 high school students. For additional questions please call 417-625-3014 or email Woolard-a@mssu.edu. 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 
8:30-9:00 AM Check-in 
9:00-11:00 AM Skill Instruction
11:00-11:30 AM Small Sided Games
11:45-12:45 PM Lunch 
12:45-1:15 PM College Q&A Session
1:15-2:00 PM Campus Tour 
2:00-4:00 PM Scrimmage 
4:00 PM Clinic Dismissal 

MSSU softball coach resigns

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Director of Athletics Jared Bruggeman has announced that softball coach Bill Gray has announced his resignation, effective June 30.

Gray coached seven seasons at MSSU and in that time, had a record of 149-208-1 as the head coach of the Lions. In his career, Gray has an overall record of 345-354-1 as a collegiate head coach. Adding in his time as a coach at the junior college level, Gray has an overall record of 416-421-1.

Gray had his best season at the helm of the Lions in 2011 when the team went 32-22 and finished in fourth-place in the MIAA regular-season standings. It was the first 30-win season for the program since 2002 and the squad had five All-MIAA players and saw a record fall as Nicole Reed set the single-season record for strikeouts in a season, surpassing Britany Hargis, with 225.

This season, four Lions earned All-MIAA honors as Myranda Stewart, Brooke Swadley, Kathryn Goins-Osburnand Alana Hester all earned honorable mention accolades. The Lions also set a new single-game record with six home runs in a game against Rogers State.

In 2014, the Lions went 26-24 overall, giving Southern its second winning season in three years. The Lions got off to an 11-4 start to the year, their best start since 2001, picking up Gray's 100th win at Southern in the process in a 10-9 win over Illinois-Springfield on March 3, 2013. Throughout the course of the season, the Lions defeated three ranked teams, beating 2013 Division II Softball National Champion Central Oklahoma 11-3 in five innings, and NCAA Tournament qualifiers Fort Hays State 9-8 and Winona State 1-0.

"I want to thank coach Gray for his tireless dedication to the program for the past seven years," Bruggeman said. "His leadership has helped lead to the improvement in the facilities for the softball program, and he has helped mold several young student-athletes into fine representatives of Missouri Southern for years to come. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors

A nationwide search for Gray's replacement will begin immediately.

Three MSSU women's track athletes qualify for nationals

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern women's track and field team has had three individuals qualify for nationals and all three were also named All-Region.

Brittani Reagan leads the way as the junior has qualified for both the long jump and the triple jump. She was named an All-Region selection in the long jump. She has qualified 14th in the triple jump and 15th in the long jump.

Melanie Bower earned All-Region honors in the pole vault and qualified eighth in the event.

Rounding out the list, Kindra Emberton was an All-Region selection in the 800m and she qualified 15th in the event.

The Lions will head to Allendale, Mich. for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships held on May 21-23.

MSSU men's track qualifies nine for nationals

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's track and field team has qualified nine individuals for the 2015 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships and nine different athletes were named All-Region today.

Jeff Fraley leads a big contingent of athletes going to Michigan at the end of May for the National Meet. Fraley has qualified second in both the 100m and the 200m and will run the anchor leg of the 4x100m relay team that qualified seventh. Other members of the relay team include Jazz Allen, Erron Holley and Desmond Williams.

Fraley was also named an All-Region pick in the 100m, the 200m, the 400m and the 4x100m relay.

Darion Boure qualified sixth in the triple jump and was an All-Region pick in the event. Morgan Hold qualified 11th in the pole vault and was an All-Region pick, while Holley, Allen and Williams picked up All-Region honors for for the relay.

Nicklas Polizzi qualified 11th in the discus and earned All-Region honors, while Eric Schott qualified 13th in the 10k, also earning All-Region honors. Derek Webb picked up All-Region honors and qualified 16th for nationals.

Bryan Burns also earned All-Region honors in the shot, but missed out on qualifying for nationals.

The team will compete in the National Meet on May 21-23 in Allendale, Mich.

MSSU baseball to open NCAA play today

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The 15th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team will open up the 2015 NCAA Tournament when they take on No. 5 Minnesota State on Thursday at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 

Game Information

Teams: #15 Missouri Southern (40-12) vs. #5 Minnesota State (41-7)

Date: Thursday, May 14
First Pitch: 3 pm
Location: St. Cloud, Minn.
Site: Joe Faber Field (2,000)
Series Record:Minnesota State leads 2-0
Coaches: Bryce Darnell (236-183 overall/at MSSU). Matt Magers (381-270 overall/at MSU)

Media Coverage

MSSU Radio: AM 1560 - ESPN - Ron Fauss - Play-by-play, Justin Maskus - Color Commentary
Internet Audio: www.mssulions.com
Live Stats: www.mssulions.com
Live Video: www.mssulions.com 
Lions on Facebook:  Facebook.com/missourisouthernlions
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mssubaseball

About the Lions:  In Bryce Darnell's eighth season at the helm of the Lions, Southern is in the NCAA Tournament for the second time. They've made the MIAA Tournament in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015, winning it in 2013 and 2015. The Lions made the NCAA Tournament last in 2013.The Lions are the MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Champions and are ranked 15th nationally by the baseball writers and 16th by the coaches. The MSSU pitching staff is one of the best in Division II this year. The Lions rank in the top ten nationally in three different pitching categories including shutouts (9th), k/bb ratio (3rd) and walks/9 innings (6th). The team also ranks 9th nationally in fielding percentage and 10th in walks. Individually, Cody Hutchinson ranks 8th nationally in wins (10), while Hutchinson and Payton Walker rank 7th in complete games. Jesse Rall ranks 16th and 17th in home runs and slugging. 

About the Mavericks:  The Mavericks are the top hitting team in Division II coming into the matchup with the Lions, posting a team batting average of .364 on the season. The Mavs went 1-2 at the NSIC Tournament last week, but have been ranked in the top ten nationally most of the season. They have won the last three Central Region Tournaments and four of the last five. Max Waletich leads the team with a .444 batting average, 9 HR and 52 RBIs. Dalton Roach is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA, while Brody Rodning is 8-0 with a 2.98 ERA. The team boasts a 3.92 ERA.  

Last time vs. MSU:  The Lions and Mavs met up in the opening round of the 2013 Central Region Tournament. In what would be an epic pitchers duel that saw both starters pitch into the 11th, the Mavs won 1-0 in 14 innings.    

Series history:  These two teams have met just twice in their history, both coming in NCAA Tournament Play. MSU has won both meetings, 9-5 in 2001 and 1-0 in 2013 

Next up:  The winner of this game will play the winner of the Emporia State/Southern Ark. game at 7 pm Friday, while the loser will play at 11 am against the loser of the St. Cloud/Henderson State game. 

Fielding Numbers: The Lions are on pace to break the school record for fielding percentage this year as Southern leads the MIAA and is 9th in D-2 with a .973 mark.

Pitching Prowess: The Lions lead the MIAA in walks allowed per nine innings (fewest), win/loss percentage, WHIP, strikeouts per nine innings, strikeout to walk ratio, and shutouts. The team ranks 6th nationally in walks per nine, while ranking 3rd in k/bb ratio and 9th in shutouts.     

Winning Streaks: The Lions started the season on an 11-game winning streak that ranks as the sixth-longest winning streak in Southern baseball history. Southern won 22 games in a row in 1989 and 20-straight in 1994. The 1991 and 95 teams each had 19-game winning streaks, while the 1992 team won 16-straight. 

Strike Em Out: The Lions are on pace to break the school record for strikeouts per nine innings this year as the team is averaging 8.6 this season to rank 20th nationally. The 396 total strikeouts is 12 from the single-season record in that category.  

Tino Martinez Semi-Finalist: Missouri Southern center fielder Chris Hoffman is a semi-finalist for the Division II Player of the Year Award - the Tino Martinez Award. Hoffman is currently hitting .431 with 8 home runs and 39 RBIs. He leads the team with 51 runs, 74 hits 3 triples and 14 doubles.  

MIAA Leaders: The Lions lead the MIAA in six different pitching categories, as well as most walks (offensively) on base percentage and fielding percentage. Southern ranks second in ERA and hits allowed per nine innings (fewest). 

Individual MIAA Hitting Leaders: Tee Helsel is second in the MIAA in walks, while Hoffman leads the league in batting average. Hoffman ranks second in hits, while Jesse Rall ranks third in home runs and home runs per game as well as RBIs per game. He is second in slugging, while Hoffman ranks second in on base percentage. 

Individual MIAA Pitching Leaders: Cody Hutchinson leads the MIAA in wins, while he and Payton Walker are third and fifth in ERA. The duo lead the league in complete games. Walker is 2nd in WHIP, while Hutchinson ranks 6th. Walker, Tyler Burgess and Hutchinson rank 3-4-5 in strikeouts.  

NCAA Team Leaders: As a team, the Lions rank third in strikeouts to walk ratio, while ranking sixth in walks allowed per nine innings, and ninth in both fielding percentage and shutouts. The Lions rank tenth in walks (most), while also ranking 12th in win/loss percentage, 16th in on base percentage, and 20th in both WHIP and strikeouts per nine. They rank 24th in home runs, 31st in batting average and 28th in slugging. 

NCAA Individual Leaders: Individually, Cody Hutchinson is 8th nationally in wins. He and Payton Walker rank 7th in complete games, while Jesse Rall ranks 17th in home runs per game, 15th in home runs, 27th in RBIs and 17th in slugging. Chris Hoffman ranks 22nd in hits and 20th in batting average, while Tee Helsel ranks 35th in walks.

Southern At The NCAA Tournament: The Lions have played in the NCAA Tournament six times and have an overall record of 10-12 in the playoffs. The team made the College World Series in both 91 and 92, making the national championship game in 1991. Below is the record for the Lions in each year they were in the NCAA D-2 Tournament.

1990 - 0-2

1991 - 6-2 (National Runners Up)

1992 - 4-2

1995 - 0-2

2001 - 0-2

2013 - 0-2

Lions vs. 2015 Central Region Opponents: The Lions have played each of their opponents in this region at some point in the program's history. Below are the records against each of their possible opponents. 

vs. Minnesota State - 0-2 (last met 2013)

vs. Emporia State - 25-56 (last met 2015)

vs. Henderson State - 5-2 (last met 2000)

vs. Southern Arkansas - 1-5 (last met 2008)

vs. St. Cloud State - 2-2 (last met 2009)

Closing It Out: The Lions' pitching staff has been outstanding late in games this year, allowing just 15 runs in the final two innings of all games in 2015. The staff has a record of 34-2 leading after six, 17-0 leading after seven and 20-1 leading after eight. 

Scoring Early: This season, the Lions have had huge success when they score early. The Lions are 22-4 when scoring in the first inning and 30-4 when scoring first. 

Keeping offenses quiet: This season, the Lions are 20-1 when teams score two or fewer runs and the team is 10-1 when they hold opponents to 3-5 runs scored. 

Reaching Base Streaks: Jesse Rall has a 26-game streak in reaching base this season, while Richie Gorski has reached base in 24-straight games.

Four MSSU golfers earn academic honors

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Men's Golf lands four individuals on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll released Monday.

The MIAA Academic Honor Roll honors individuals with a 3.00 GPA or higher. First-year transfers and transfers are not eligible for the award until they have two terms of attendance at the nominating institution.

Joining the other 75 individuals with the academic honors were sophomores Trae Fairchild of Afton, Oklahoma (3.877 GPA, - Education) and Taylor Lansford of Tulsa, Oklahoma (3.326 - Occupational Therapy); and juniorsEthan Hutcheson of Carl Junction, Mo. (3.29 - Marketing Management) and Garen Nelson of Monett, Missouri (3.816 - Nursing).

Of the 79 student-athletes fourteen have earned the MIAA Scholar Athlete Award, which is given to those who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50, have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms, and, if competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, earn All-MIAA honors.

Eight MSSU baseball players earn all-MIAA honors

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The 15th ranked Missouri Southern baseball team was represented well on the All-MIAA team as a total of eight players earned honors, including Cody Hutchinson as the Pitcher of the Year and coach Bryce Darnell as the Coach of the Year when the league's post season honors were announced today.

Hutchinson leads the MIAA in wins and earned run average as the junior is 10-0 on the season with a 2.51 ERA, seven complete games, 73 strikeouts and only 16 walks. He also is tied for the league-lead in complete games with teammate Payton Walker. Hutchinson ranks fifth nationally in wins and complete games and is one win away from tying the MSSU record for wins in a single-season.

Walker, along with Hutchinson, was one of four Lions named to the first-team. This season, Walker is tied with Hutchinson for the league-lead in complete games, while leading the MIAA in WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched), while ranking third in strikeouts. He is 8-2 on the season and has also moved up the MSSU record books.

Walker now has 19 wins in his career and that moves him into a tie for fourth place all-time in MSSU history. His 183 strikeouts rank him fifth all-time, while his 32 games started rank eighth all-time. This is his third-straight All-MIAA nod after earning honorable mention as a freshman and a sophomore.

Joining Hutchinson and Walker on the first team are designated hitter Jesse Rall, and Chris Hoffman who was selected as a utility player, having seen time as both the starting center fielder and a member of the Lions' weekend rotation.

Rall led the team in home runs (15) and RBIs (54) this season and he ranked third in the league in both home runs and home runs per game, third in RBIs and second in slugging. He is one home run away from tying the single-season record at MSSU and also ranks 16th nationally in home runs and 24th in slugging.

Hoffman has been one of the most complete players in the MIAA this year. He is second in the league and leads the Lions with a .430 batting average, while ranking second in the MIAA in total hits. He leads the team in average, hits, runs, doubles triples, stolen bases and on-base percentage, while ranking second in RBIs and home runs.

Not to be done as a hitter, Hoffman was also a member of the Lions' weekend rotation this year, going 4-1 with a 4.19 ERA in five starts. He had two complete games, while striking out 23 and walking just four. He is a semi-finalist for the Tino Martinez Award, which is given annually to Division II's top player.

Richie Gorski was a second-team selection at third base. He was third on the team in batting average at .353, while ranking third in home runs (7), tied for second in RBIs (39) and second in stolen bases (7). He also ranked third in doubles with 11.

Tyler Burgess was a third-team selection as a pitcher. Burgess, in his first year after transferring from Missouri State, helped solidify a rotation that was easily the top pitching staff in the MIAA and one of the top in all of Division II. He ranked fourth in the MIAA in strikeouts with 73, while going 5-1 on the season with ten starts. He struck out 73 in 61.1 innings and walked just 15.

Earning honorable mention status were second baseman Jacob Bryant and relief pitcher Nick Pettus. Bryant came on late and hit .342 for the Lions, but was second on the team in average in MIAA games, hitting .357 with two home runs and 14 runs scored in conference play.

Pettus was tied for the team-lead with four saves, and had a 2-1 record with a 1.25 ERA. He struck out 21 in 21.2 innings pitched, while limiting batters to a .171 batting average. All four of Pettus' saves, however, came in MIAA play where the senior righty turned it on and held MIAA hitters to a .103 average and didn't allow a single run in conference action.

Darnell earns his first MIAA Coach of the Year Award after leading the Lions to the MIAA regular-season title. The team is ranked 15th nationally by the media and 17th by the coaches. Southern sits in third in the latest NCAA Division II Central Region rankings. The Lions are poised to break the school record this year for fielding percentage and they rank fourth nationally in that category.

Southern opens up the MIAA Tournament today at 11 am as the Lions play host to Washburn at Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

Joplin Blasters to play exhibition game May 15 at MSSU

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern athletic department and the Joplin Blasters have announced the Blasters will play their first exhibition game in Joplin at Warren Turner Field on the campus of MSSU.

The game, which will be played against the Wichita Wingnuts, will be played on May 15 at 6:35 pm from Turner field. Admission will be free and fans are encouraged to come out early to see the team warm up.

This will be the public's first chance to see the Blasters in action. The team will open the regular season on May 21 at the newly renovated Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin. That game will start at 6:35 pm.

Also exciting to note to Missouri Southern baseball fans will be the opportunity to see former Lions' infielder Jake Taylor playing for the Blasters. Taylor, who played with the Saint Paul Saints last season, was acquired by the Blasters this week in a trade with the Kansas City T-Bones.

"We are excited to host our first exhibition game at MSSU," said Shawn Suarez, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Blasters. "The Four States community is very lucky to have such great baseball venues, and we think Warren Turner Field will be a beautiful setting for our first exhibition game."

Jared Bruggeman, Director of Athletics at Southern echoed Suarez's sentiments.

"We are extremely excited to partner with the Blasters in helping them open their inaugural season here in Joplin," Bruggeman said. "This will be a great chance to show off the beautiful new facility we have here at Southern and we're looking forward to having the Blasters here in action at Warren Turner Field."

Four MSSU softball players named all-MIAA

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

 Four Missouri Southern softball Lions earned All-MIAA honors when the conference office named the All-MIAA teams yesterday.

Myranda Stewart, Brooke Swadley, Kathryn Goins-Osburn, and Alana Hester all earned honorable mention honors for their efforts in the 2015 season. Stewart, a native of Owasso, Okla., led the Lions in hitting with a .302 batting average, RBIs with 25, slugging percentage with a .477, and on base percentage with .367. Goins-Osburn, from Van Buren, Ark.,  led the team in home runs with six and finished seventh all time at MSSU with 14. Hester, from Ballwin, Mo.,  led the team in stolen bases with 28 on the season and finished her junior year with 68 just 10 shy of second all time at Southern. Swadley, a native of Purdy, Mo., finished with 128 hits in her four years in The Green & Gold.

Player of the Year: Stephanie Goodwin, Sr., Emporia State
Pitcher of the Year: Emmie Robertson, Fr., Pittsburg State
Defensive Player of the Year: Taylor Zordel, Sr., Emporia State
Freshman of the Year: Emmie Robertson, Fr., Pittsburg State
Coach of the Year: Susan Anderson, Central Missouri

1st Team
Pitcher: Emmie Robertson, Fr., Pittsburg State
Pitcher: Katie Shockley, Sr., Central Missouri
Catcher: Ashleigh Tramel, So., Central Oklahoma
First Base: Lauren Mabe, So., Central Missouri
Second Base: Tiffany Gillaspy, Sr., Missouri Western$
Shortstop: Taylor Zordel, Sr., Emporia State#
Third Base: Ashton Smith, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Stephanie Goodwin, Sr., Emporia State**$
Outfield: Kaylee Brunson, Sr., Central Oklahoma$

Outfield: Cheslyn Mitchell, Sr., Pittsburg State
Designated Player: McKenzie Rynard, Sr., Pittsburg State$
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Danielle Sprinkle, Fr., Emporia State
Utility/Pitcher: Lauren Thimmesch, Sr., Washburn
**= Unanimous Selection
$= Repeat First Team Selection
#= Three-time repeat selection

2nd Team
Pitcher: Kendle Schieber, Jr., Northwest Missouri
Pitcher: Janie Smith, Jr., Missouri Western
Catcher: Nicole Nease, So., Pittsburg State
First Base: Stephanie Mark, Sr., Northwest Missouri
Second Base: Ally Dziadula, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Shortstop: Morgan Heard, Fr., Central Oklahoma
Third Base: Jessica Gragg, Sr., Emporia State
Outfield: Brooke Zukerman, Jr., Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Morgan Rathmann, So., Missouri Western
Outfield: Rebecca Wyatt, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney
Designated Player: Paige Shifflett, Fr., Missouri Western
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Kylie Guthier, So., Pittsburg State
Utility/Pitcher: Jakki Prater, Sr., Central Missouri

Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Kelsey Berlin, Sr., Central Oklahoma; Nicole Brady, Jr., Central Oklahoma; Kesley Kimminau, Sr., Fort Hays State; Paxton Duran, Jr., Fort Hays State; Kendall Ryndak, Sr., Lindenwood; Cassie Roessing, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney; Kacey Ayres, So., Southwest Baptist.
Catcher: Carlie Rose, Jr., Central Missouri; Jacie Stephens, So., Emporia State; Alexandra Newcomb, Sr., Lindenwood; Alli Eales, Sr., Northeastern State; Erin Dwyer, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney; Kristen Bell, Jr., Washburn
First Base: Emily Ditmore, Sr., Central Oklahoma; Tori Beltz, Jr., Fort Hays State; Alexis Theis, So., Lindenwood; Kate Ruwe, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney; Paige Gann, Fr., Northeastern State; Caitlyn Cooner, Jr., Southwest Baptist; Marina Quimby, Jr., Washburn.
Second Base: Jessica Wolken, Jr., Lincoln; Brooke Swadley, Sr., Missouri Southern; Megan Ewton, Jr., Northeastern State; Torri Blythe, So., Northwest Missouri; Taylor Zimmerman, Jr., Washburn.
Shortstop: Ali Jo Rogers, Jr., Central Missouri; Sam Kircher, Sr., Lincoln; Cassidy Merriman, Fr., Washburn.
Third Base: Lindsey Dawson, So., Central Missouri; Myranda Stewart, Fr., Missouri Southern; Katie Klosterman, So., Missouri Western; Chantel Adams, So., Northwest Missouri; Brittanie Halquist, Jr., Southwest Baptist.
Outfield: Caitlin VanVleck, Fr., Emporia State; Samantha Villarreal, So., Fort Hays State; Amanda Vaupel, Sr., Fort Hays State; Megan Heimbaugh, So., Lincoln; Allyson Corry, Sr., Lincoln; Madison Huot, So., Lindenwood;Alana Hester, Jr., Missouri Southern; Jessica Boone, Fr., Northeastern State; Ashton Pratt, Jr., Pittsburg State; Catlin Evans, So., Southwest Baptist; Megan Stegman, So., Washburn; Haylee Marsteller, Jr., Washburn; Jordan Erickson, So., Washburn.
Designated Player: Alex Leonhart, So., Central Missouri.
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Katie Giacone, Fr., Central Missouri; Courtney Dobson, Jr., Fort Hays State; Kylie Strand, Jr., Fort Hays State; Kathryn Goins-Osburn, Sr., Missouri Southern.
Utility/Pitcher: Kaitlyn Caston, Sr., Emporia State.