From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

Idle for almost two weeks, Missouri Southern’s softball team returns to action this weekend in the five-team Pitt State Classic III.

The Lions (1-10) are scheduled to play Rogers State (Okla.) today at noon and St. Cloud State (Minn.) at 4 p.m. Two more games on Saturday match the Lions against MIAA foes — Pittsburg State at noon and Southwest Baptist at 2 p.m.

Angie Turner paces the Lions with her .469 average, and Julie Taylor is next at .387. Both have eight runs batted in, and Turner and Andrea Childs (.333) have two home runs apiece. Kelli Bax is another .300 hitter at .306.

The Lions have a .283 team batting average and have averaged four runs a game, but the opponents are hitting .357 and averaging eight runs.

Pittsburg State (9-8) is led by Lori Lockhart’s .444 average. Other .300 hitters are Jessica Jones (.341), Lindsay Birchfield (.333) and Tera Swartslander (.321).

The Gorillas and their opponents are hitting .272. PSU has averaged almost five runs a game, one more than the opposition.

The Gorillas’ games today are against Southwest Baptist at noon and St. Cloud State at 2 p.m. On Saturday PSU plays Rogers State at 10 a.m. before meeting the Lions at noon.

Pitt State Classic

Today’s Games

Noon—Pittsburg State vs. Southwest Baptist (Field 1); Missouri Southern vs. Rogers State (Field 2).

2 p.m.—Pittsburg State vs. St. Cloud State (Field 1); Southwest Baptist vs. Rogers State (Field 2).

4—Missouri Southern vs. St. Cloud State (Field 1).

Saturday’s Games