GREAT BEND, Kan. — The Missouri Southern softball team broke a single-game home run record as the Lions split a double-header with Nebraska-Kearney at Cougar Field on the campus of Barton County Community College Monday afternoon. Southern won game one 12-4, but dropped the finale 2-1.
Game One
The Lions (9-10, 2-4 MIAA) launched a program-high five home runs on their way to a 12-4 victory over Nebraska-Kearney (3-13, 1-3 MIAA), to lead off the doubleheader. It is the most home runs a MSSU team has hit in a single game since the 2000 season where the team smashed four against Emporia State.
Freshman Sidnie Hurst led off the hitting parade with a solo-shot early in the first and then was capped off with a grand slam from senior Ashley Caldarella five batters later as the Lions closed out the inning up 5-0. Lexi Ferrari and Erika Lutgen each added a solo home run in the third and fourth innings while Makaila Leonhart recorded a two-run homer to left field in the sixth.
Angel Badalamenti registered a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate and two RBIs while Elizabeth Windsor placed three hits in five opportunities. Senior pitcher Taurean Guzman earned the win after pitching five innings and allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out two.
Game Two
Hurst doubled to left center to score Tori Frazier from second and get the Lions on the board (1-1) in the sixth. The Lopers held a 1-0 lead over the first four innings after recording a run in their half of the first inning. UNK loaded up the bases and knocked in the game winning run on a walk-off single into center field in the seventh.
Leonhart led Southern with two hits while Josie Tofpi and Ferrari each added a hit as well along with Hurst’s double in the sixth.
Sophomore Abby Atkin threw six innings only allowing two runs, one earned, and struck out three in the loss.
Next Up
The Lions return home to host Central Missouri for an MIAA doubleheader on Wednesday beginning at 2:00 pm as part of a special “Bark in the Park” presented by Champions Feed where fans can bring along their dogs for an afternoon inside the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
