From staff reports
JOPLIN, Mo. —
Central Missouri scored five runs in the seventh inning and defeated Missouri Southern 8-2 in the first of three softball games Saturday at Lea Kungle Field.
Upper Iowa defeated Missouri Southern 4-1 and 7-6 in the Border Battle.
The Lions (11-7) have two more games today, facing Nebraska-Kearney at noon and Pittsburg State at 2 p.m. at Lea Kungle Field.
Trailing 3-1 against Central Missouri, shortstop Michala Wood drove in a run on a fielder’s choice that scored pinch runner Rachel Harding.
After Central Missouri took a 2-0 lead in the third inning, the Lions responded with a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Shelby Romines that drove in Chole Brown. Romines was 3-for-4.
Jakki Prater (1-0) was the winning pitcher. Hannah Cooke (2-1) took the loss.
Missouri Southern took a 1-0 lead in the second inning of the first game against Upper Iowa when Brooke Smith’s single to right field drove in Haley Kinnison.
Upper Iowa, which outhit Missouri Southern 7-5, answered with a run in the fourth inning, two runs in the sixth and a run in the seventh.
In the second game, the Lions, trailing 7-2, scored four runs in the seventh inning but came up a run short.
Romines and Brooke Swadley both were 3-for-4, and Dawn Grass was 2-3 with four RBI, including a three-run home run in the seventh inning.
The Lions took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Grass’ RBI double, then added a run in the sixth on a ground ball.
Missouri Southern will begin MIAA play on Friday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader against visiting Central Oklahoma.
