From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

TOPEKA, Kan. — Another doubleheader, and another split for Missouri Southern’s baseball team.

Coach Bryce Darnell’s Lions started quickly with five runs in the first inning en route to a 7-3 victory over Washburn on Saturday afternoon at Falley Field.

MSSU also grabbed the lead in the nightcap before Washburn rallied for a 6-3 decision, giving the Lions a split for the second straight day and the third time in four MIAA twinbills.

The Lions (8-18, 6-6 MIAA) have a home doubleheader against Southwest Baptist at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Joe Becker Stadium.

Jeff Katchmar and Derek Ezell went 3-for-4 to lead the Lions’ 12-hit attack in the opener, and Cliff Wheeler contributed two hits.

The Lions’ first six batters reached base in the first inning.

Juan Hernandez doubled to right-center field leading off and stopped at third on C.J. Matthews’ single. Wheeler doubled down the left-field line to score Hernandez and advance Matthews to third. Ezell’s single up the middle scored a run before Kenny Hart walked to load the bases.

Katchmar’s single to center scored Wheeler, and Ezell came home on a wild pitch to make it 4-0. Gabe Wyatt’s groundout scored Hart with the final run.

Lions pitcher Matthew Mantle (2-2) tossed a six-hit complete game, allowing three unearned runs, walking one and striking out one. After Washburn pulled within 5-3, Mantle allowed just two hits in the final four innings.

The Lions added a run in the fifth on Alec French’s RBI single and another in the seventh on Katchmar’s double down the left-field line.

In the second game, Washburn’s Bryan Stroth (2-2) gave up two earned runs and eight hits in eight innings, fanned five and walked one. Curtis Hamilton retired the Lions in order in the ninth for his third save.

Southern scored in the first when Hernandez reached on a throwing error and scored when Ezell reached on a fielder’s choice.

But Washburn (8-11, 5-7) scored three runs in the second off Ryan Ver