The Missouri Southern softball returned back to Joplin after back to back away game weekends. 

Two weekends ago, the Lions traveled to St. Joseph to play in the Hy-Vee Classic hosted by Missouri Western State University. 

They split on the road, playing against nationally ranked #22 Winona State University and 17th nationally ranked Augustana University in South Dakota. 

The Lions played a doubleheader on both days beating Northern State University 9-1 and falling short to Winona State 2-0 the first day. 

The next day of the classic was a matchup against Augustana University, where they split the series and controlled the game with the score 3-1.

“The tourney at Mo West was a great challenge for us. It proved we could play with anyone after playing the #22 team in the country tough (Winona State) and beating the #14 team (Augustana),” said Head Coach Hallie Blackney. 

This last weekend, Southern traveled to Topeka, Kansas to secure one game in their split against Washburn University.

In game one, Southern would start the lead as freshman Tori Frazier bunted allowing senior Ashley Caldarella to score at home. 

The Lions wouldn’t score again until the seventh inning as they scored two runs off doubles by junior Emily Harris and freshman Sidnie Hurst. 

Freshman Josie Tofpi led the team batting 2-4 and the pitching trio senior Taurean Guzman, freshman Meredith Iden, and sophomore Abby Atkin didn’t allow Washburn University to score resulting in a Lions 3-0 win. 

In game two, the Lions came out hot in the first with junior Erika Lutgen driving in Hurst on a fielder’s choice. 

Washburn was able to tie the game in the bottom of the second with an RBI-single. The game continued to stay tied the next two innings. 

In the bottom of the fifth, the Ichabods earned three runs to take control of the game. In the sixth, two doubles were hit by junior Elizabeth Windsor and Tofpi to score one run.  

Lutgen then had an RBI-single to earn another run to make it a one run game. Washburn hung around in the seventh and the Lions came just a run short to end the game 4-3.

“We fought hard against Washburn and Taurean Guzman had an outstanding individual performance,” Blackney said. “Clutch hitting was imperative for our game one win. Our pitching staff overall has been doing a good job lately. Emily Harris has had multiple clutch hits for us, as well.” 

The Lions will travel to Jefferson City and St. Charles this weekend to play double headers against Lincoln University and Lindenwood University for another MIAA match up. 

The Lions will be back in Joplin on April 12 and 13 to face Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University.