From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Zach Caldwell hit a grand slam in the eighth inning as Missouri Southern defeated Southern Arkansas 8-4 on Saturday in the second game of a doubleheader.
Southern Arkansas, ranked No. 4 in NCAA Division II, won the first game 8-0.
C.J. Matthews and Patrick Deao walked to start the eighth inning for Missouri Southern, which led 4-2. Michael Zermehly then reached on a fielder’s choice and Trent Owens walked, loading the bases.
Caldwell, a senior center-fielder, then slammed the Lions’ first home run of the season down the left-field line
Carter Lance, who allowed eight hits, walked two and struck out four in 71/3 innings, was the winning pitcher. Kevin Humphrey finished the game for the Lions.
Missouri Southern had broken a 2-2 tie in the seventh when, with two outs, Vince Pironti laid down a bunt single and scored on a double to left by Jacob Taylor. Skyler Rawlins then singled to right, driving in Taylor.
Southern Arkansas took a 1-0 in the first inning, but the Lions tied the score in the fourth after Taylor walked and stole second. Walks to Joe Lincoln and Matthews loaded the bases before Taylor scored on a wild pitch.
Southern Arkansas scored in the bottom of the fourth, but the Lions tied the score again in the fifth on a leadoff single by Zurmehly, who was sacrificed to second by Owens, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Caldwell’s infield groundout.
The first game was dominated by Southern Arkansas starting pitcher Matt Speake, who allowed just one hit in seven innings before Kris Marshall relieved and allowed one hit in the final two innings.
Lions’ starter Garrett Groom allowed six hits and four runs in seven innings. He walked five and struck out three.
Missouri Southern, 1-2 after the three-game weekend series, is scheduled to play doubleheaders on Tuesday and Wednesday at Arkansas Tech in Russellville.
