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.
Sports
March 22, 2008
Southern slugs way to pair of softball victories
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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