JOPLIN, Mo. — The Missouri Southern softball team split its two games inside the Pat Lipira Softball Complex by defeating the Cardinals of William Jewell 9-2 before falling 9-6 to the Rockhurst Hawks as part of the Teri Mathis-Zenner Tournament Friday afternoon.
Game One
The Lions (6-5) allowed a run in the top of the first, but then scored two in their half of the inning and followed up with three runs in the third and four more in the fifth towards a seven-run victory over William Jewell (5-5).
Sophomore pitcher Abby Atkin (4-1) limited the Cardinals to one run on five hits while striking out five on the way to her fourth victory of the season.
Freshman outfielder Sidnie Hurst led the Lions with three hits in four opportunities, including a triple and three runs scored. Fellow freshman Josie Tofpi registered a 2-for-3 line for two RBIs and a run cross while senior Lexi Ferrari smashed a three-run home run in the fifth inning to round out the scoring for Southern.
Game Two
Southern jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one inning when Angel Badalamenti singled in two and Ashley Caldarella doubled to knock in Badalamenti to close out the inning.
Rochkurst (7-4) responded with four runs of its own in the top of the third to tie the game heading into the bottom half, but the Lions came back to plate two in their half of the third to go up 6-4 at the conclusion of three.
The Hawks once again tied it up a 6-6 on a two-RBI single to begin the fifth and then took the lead on a three-run bomb to left field which would seal the deal for the win two innings later.
Badalamenti finished the game 4-for-4 while Caldarella added a 2-for-4 stand as both knocked in two runners and scored once in the loss.
Next Up
The Lions prepare to face cross-state rival Pittsburg State for the first doubleheader of MIAA competition this next Friday, Mar. 8 at 2:00 pm inside the Pat Lipira SB Complex.
