The Missouri Southern Softball Lions used the long ball in game two to salvage a non-conference split at Rogers State Monday evening.
Game One
The Lions struck first as they pushed a run across in the first inning. Alana Hester led the game off with an infield single and then scored on Myranda Stewart's double to right field. Rogers State took the lead in the bottom half of the third as Carley Conley hit a two run home run and the Hill Cats didn't look back. RSU added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth for the 5-1 win.
Ashley Lutz (6-15) went the distance for the Lions going six innings allowing five runs, four earned, on ten hits with three strike outs and only one walk.
Game Two
Southern got started early in the night cap as well as Abi Corbett led off reaching on an error by the RSU pitcher. Hester walked after Corbett advanced to second on a wild pitch and both scored on Stewart's three run home run to right center. Kathryn Goins-Osburn would send the very next pitch over the right field wall for the 4-0 lead after the top of the first.
Rogers State would score seven in the bottom half of the first as RSU capitalized on five hits, three walks, and a hit by pitch. The Lions regained the lead in the second as Corbett reached on a bunt single and stole second before scoring on Hester's single to left. With two outs, Stewart singled to left before Goins-Osburn hit her second long ball of the day to tie the game at 7-7. Sarah Williams got in on the long distance party as she dialed up a 2-1 offering over the center field fence.
Rogers State would tie the game at 8-8 in the bottom of the third on an RBI single to right field. Stewart would hit her second home run of the day in the fourth inning, a solo shot, to give Southern the lead again at 9-8 and RSU tied it back up for the third time at 9-9 in the bottom of the frame.
Southern would take the lead for good in the top of the fifth as Wililams led off with her second solo shot of the day before Sydney Blue doubled home Dru Coleman. Coleman would return the favor in the sixth as she singled home Stewart in the sixth for the 12-9 win.
Kali' Hodson got the start for the Lions inside the circle going only two thirds of an inning allowing seven runs, all earned, on three hits with three walks and a strike out. Shelby Mitchell (4-3) came in relief in the first and finished the game going 6 1/3 innings allowing just two runs, both earned, on 11 hits with a walk and two strike outs.
On The Day
Stewart led the offensive attack finishing the day 4-for-6 (.667) at the dish with a slugging percentage of 1.833 and five RBIs on two home runs and a double. Goins-Osburn and Coleman both finished 3-for-7 (.429) on the day. Goins-Osburn finished with three RBIs with two home runs and a slugging percentage of 1.286. Williams went 2-for-5 (.400) with the two solo home runs and a slugging percentage of 1.600 on the day.
Up Next
The Lions will be back in action tomorrow as they host Central Missouri for a MIAA double header and the Pride4Pink games. First pitch from Lea Kungle Field is scheduled for 3pm.
