Baseball splits double-headers
Sophomore pitcher/utility player Gabe Hensley throws to first base for the double play during the April 11 game against Southwest Baptist University. The Lions split the double-header with SBU.
Six home games welcomed the Missouri Southern baseball team last week.
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats came to Joe Becker Stadium April 7-9. NWMSU took the series, three games to one.
On April 7, the Bearcats beat the Lions 14-7.
The Lions were down 13-2 in the middle of the seventh inning, when they made a four-run nibble at NWMSU, but it was not enough. One more run in the eighth could not save Southern either as the Bearcats added their final run in the ninth.
Aaron Jenkins, junior pitcher/infielder, picked up the loss.
On April 8, NWMSU and Southern split a double-header. Game 1 went to the Lions 5-4. NWMSU led 1-0 after the first inning, but the Lions pulled ahead with four runs in the fourth. NWMSU tied the game in the top of the fifth, but Southern took the win with its final run in the seventh inning. The win went to Andrew Doennig, junior pitcher.
NWMSU handed the Lions a 7-0 shut out in Game 2. This game was scoreless through the fourth, but the Bearcats started their scoring in the fifth.
Michael Meyer, junior pitcher, was credited with the loss.
The final game in the series was April 9 and went to NWMSU, 18-10.
Tied 3-3 after the first inning, the Bearcats scored eight of their runs in the third and never looked back.
The loss went to Kyle Knight, junior pitcher/outfielder.
On April 11, Southwest Baptist University came to Joplin to split a double-header with the Lions.
Game 1 went to SBU with a final score of 9-7.
Southern led 3-0 after the first inning. SBU came back with three runs in the second and two each in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Southern made a four-run effort to comeback in the seventh inning.
Jenkins received the loss.
Southern came back to win Game 2, 11-10. The Lions scored eight of their runs in the eighth inning. Meyer earned the win.
The Lions are now 8-26 overall and 3-11 in the MIAA.
On the season:
• Meyer has the most pitching wins with his 3-7 record.
• Jenkins has struck-out 27 batters, leading the Lions.
• Luke Lawver, junior catcher/pitcher, leads pitching with a 2.45 earned run average.
• Landon Harris, senior outfielder, leads in home runs, with eight.
• Matthew Mantle, sophomore shortstop, and Knight lead in runs scored, each with 24 runs.
• Knight also leads the team in RBIs with 25.
The Lions next play Friday in St. Joseph against the Missouri Western State University Griffons.
On Wednesday, they travel to Warrensburg to take on the Mules of Central Missouri State University.
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