The Missouri Southern softball program swept rival Pittsburg State today inside the Pat Lipira Softball Complex.
Southern (10-10, 3-3 MIAA) won the first game that turned into a pitching duel 1-0. Abby Atkin went the distance limiting Gorilla (8-16, 4-4 MIAA) batters to four hits. Both teams threatened to score before Makaila Leonhart hit a two-out RBI double scoring Lynnlee Parrott in the sixth inning.
Pittsburg State (8-16, 4-4 MIAA) hit a double to open up the seventh inning, but the runner was out from a relay from right field to second base and tagged out at third base. Atkin sealed the game off with a strikeout her third of the game. Atkin picked up her fifth win of the season.
Yazmin Vargas, Leonhart, Leighton Withers, and L. Parrott had a hit in the game.
Pittsburg State’s Kaylee Burns went a full seven innings giving up four hits and one earned runs in the contest. Burns was credited with the loss moving her season record to 4-6.
Game two saw the Lions get on the board in the first and second off a Withers’ single scoring Josie Tofpi before Vargas doubled home Adrianna Young. Pittsburg State notched a run in the fourth and the Lions responded by scoring two. Kara Amos scored on a passed ball and a Tori Frazier sac bunt scored Young as the Lions led 4-1.
Withers tripled in the fifth scoring Leonhart and a Frazier single followed by an error by the catcher scored Young to seal the 6-1 win.
Withers went 2-of-3 with two RBIs, Tori Frazier also had two RBIs, Young went 2-of-2 scoring three times while stealing two bases, Vargas finished 2-of-4 and stole a base. Amos was in the circle and went the distance striking out three Gorillas while picking up its fourth win of the season.
Riverton product Taylor Compton went three innings for PSU and was credited with the loss, moving her season record to 2-3.
Up next for the Lions is a road non-conference showdown with William Jewell in Liberty, Mo. Tuesday March 30th. First pitch is set for 12 pm and game two tentatively at 2 pm.
