Joplin, Mo. - Despite dropping a pair of 3-0 games to 22nd ranked Central Oklahoma, the Missouri Southern Lions Softball team clinched their first MIAA Post-Season berth since 2011 Sunday afternoon.
In game one senior Sydney Koch held the potent offense of Central Oklahoma scoreless through the first six innings while scattering just four hits and struck out four Bronchos. Senior Sarah Morrison broke up the perfect game that UCO's Jayden Chestnut, an University of Oklahoma transfer, was throwing in the bottom of the sixth with a two out single through the left side of the Bronchos' infield. UCO struck for three runs in the top of the third to take game one 3-0.
In game two Southern scattered six hits, by six different Lions, but couldn't get the timely hit off the Bronchos' Peyton Walker. Junior Abi Corbett continued to add to her single season hits record with a lead off single to left in the bottom of the first. For the season Corbett now has 88 hits just six shy of the MIAA single season record, 94, set by UCO's Morgan Herd last season. Morrison was the only Lion to gather multiple hits on the day as she finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a walk.
Sophomore Taurean Guzman pitched a total of seven and two-thirds on the day, with the two-thirds coming in relief in game one, allowing three runs, all earned, on six hits and a pair of walks. Koch tossed six and a third allowing three runs, all earned, on eight hits with a walk and struck out four.
Despite the sweep by league leading UCO, the Lions clinched a spot in the MIAA Post-Season tournament for the first time since 2011 in part to a Pittsburg State sweep of Northeastern State Sunday afternoon.
Southern will be back in action in the MIAA regular season finale on Monday against the RiverHawks. First pitch from the Pat Lipira Sports Complex is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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