MSSU softball wins pair at Bentonville tournament

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The Missouri Southern Lions Softball team returned to their winning ways by capturing two victories on Saturday during the 2020 Alvy Early Memorial Classic Tournament. They defeated University of Arkansas at Monticello, 17-11, in extra innings before holding on to defeat Harding, 3-2.

Missouri Southern 17, University of Arkansas at Monticello 11 (9 innings)

The Lions took an early 4-0 lead in their opening game of the weekend with a Haleigh Scott two-run triple before two ground outs for Southern pushed runs across. The game was tied headed into the third inning where Makaila Leonhart smashed a solo home run.

The lead did not last long because four runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning to give UAM a 9-5 lead. Southern scratched two runs across in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the score 9-7. Down to their final opportunity, the Lions scored two runs including a Leonhart sacrifice fly before a passed ball allowed the tying run to cross the plate.

Tofpi scored an unearned run in the eighth inning only for UAM to tie the game up in the bottom half.

The Lions wouldn't stay down, or even, long as they strung seven hits together and scored six times, including an Erika Lutgen two-run triple to give them the 17-10 advantage. UAM scored an unearned run in the bottom of the inning.

MSSU had 16 hits and 10 walks on the day while only striking out five times with Leonhart pacing the offense by going 3-of-4 at the plate with four RBI.

Mikaela Cox earned her first win of the season behind 6.1 innings of relief where she allowed two runs, both unearned, on one hit and two walks while striking out two of the 18 batters she faced.

Missouri Southern 3, Harding 2

The second game saw Southern score all three of their runs cross in the second inning. Two of the runs were unearned as a fielding error allowed the first run to cross before Elizabeth Windsor doubled to left center for two runs.

Harding scored their two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning in a double.

Offensively, MSSU had five hits and two walks. Abby Atkin was credited with the win as she pitched 3.1 innings of relief. She allowed no runs on two hits and three walks.

The Lions return to action with another doubleheader on Sunday in Bentonville. They are scheduled to take on Henderson State at 2 p.m. and Quincy at 4 p.m.