Southern slugs way to pair of softball victories

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March 22, 2008

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Sat Mar 22, 2008, 11:01 PM CDT

From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Southern, minus its top pitchers, still slugged out a pair of victories over the weekend in the Missouri Western Invitational.

The Lions beat Upper Iowa 11-4 on Friday, then downed the University of Mary (N.D.) 11-6.

No. 15-ranked Minnesota State-Mankato topped the Lions 11-3. On Saturday, Southern fell to Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) 8-5 and Wayne State (Neb.) 11-8.

“If we can get some pitching, we’ll be OK,” said Aron Potter, Southern coach. “Our kids are hitting the ball. When other teams score, we’re answering.”

Freshman left-hander Tara Kuykendall was unavailable for the tournament and remains day-to-day. Senior right-hander Tamika Barnes threw once Friday, but was ruled unavailable for Saturday’s games.

“Hats off to (Kelli) Bax and (Lauren) Berger,” Potter said. “They’re keeping us in games. That’s a lot to ask of kids you didn’t plan on pitching.”

Senior catcher Angie Turner had three hits, including a pair of solo home runs, in the Lions’ loss to Concordia-St. Paul. First baseman Megan Roark, from Seneca, also homered and drove in a pair of runs.

Roark had two hits, including another homer, and drove in four against Wayne State. Turner added three RBI, but the Lions couldn’t overcome a nine-run uprising in the bottom of the sixth inning, after leading 8-2.

That wasn’t on the pitchers, Potter said, noting the Lions made a pair of early errors to start the rally.

Roark had the Lions’ only extra-base hit, a double, in Friday’s loss to Minnesota State. She also had another blast caught at the fence in the teeth of a 30-mph wind, Potter noted.

Turner and freshman Lauren Hasty both homered against Upper Iowa, and senior Julie Taylor went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Barnes allowed four hits through five innings for the victory, with Bax throwing two innings of one-hit relief.

“Tamika was hurting (Saturday) and it was cold,” Potter said. “It was in her best interest not to throw her (again).”

Bax, who finished the game in right field, Turner and Roark all homered against University of Mary.

Roark, who raised her average over 100 points on Friday, went 4-for-4, scored three times and drove in three runs. Taylor had her second straight three-RBI game and Turner went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two more driven in.

“Roark, Turner and Taylor are just hitting so well,” Potter said. “We had nine home runs in five games. ... We just have to find a way to win when we have the lead late in a game.”

The Lions resume play on Wednesday with their MIAA opener at home against Washburn. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Southern, which has played just twice at home in a 3-15 start, has another MIAA doubleheader on Friday against visiting Fort Hays.

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Southern slugs way to pair of softball victories

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