The Missouri Southern Lions Softball team got its highly anticipated 2015 season under way last weekend at the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational. The Lions traveled to Arkadelphia, Ark., for four matchups in two days.

In the first game of the season, the Lions would take on Ouachita Baptist University. The Lions trailed 6-5 after six innings. Catcher Dru Coleman gave the Lions the lead in the seventh with a two RBI single, scoring Kathryn Goins-Osburn and Michala Wood. OBU tied the game in the seventh to send the game into extra innings. Both teams scored one in the eighth. The Lions would put up three runs in the ninth inning with the dagger coming from Coleman with a two run home run to left center to give the Lions the 11-8 lead and put the game on ice. Ashley Lutz would get a fly out to end the game and the Lions won the season opener 11-9.

Coleman went 3-5 at the plate with five RBIs, scoring one run. Goins-Osburn went 4-5, scoring four runs and driving in one.

The Lions took on Arkansas-Monticello in game two. After driving in 11 runs on 16 hits in the first game, the Lions could muster only two runs off five hits in the second. The Lions fell to Ark.-Monticello 4-2.

Goins-Osburn led the way in hitting, going 5-for-8 from the plate with five runs scored, two RBIs, and one home run. Coleman was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-7 with a single, double and home run with five RBIs.

“It felt great to finally get to compete again and put everything we’ve been working on together,” said Goins-Osburn.

Game three for the Lions was against Mississippi College. In the top of the sixth inning, Mississippi College rattled off seven runs to put the game out of reach.

The Lions would score one more off a Sarah Williams solo shot to left center, making the score 8-2. The Lions did pose a threat in the seventh with the bases loaded, two outs, with Williams at the plate. Williams popped up to end the game.

The final game of the day for the Lions was against co-host Henderson State. The Reddies scored 14 runs in the first three innings. The game ended in five, with the Lions suffering a 14-0 lost.

The Lions committed six errors and only notched four hits total.

The Lions open the season 1-3, with a lot to be excited for.

“I think we have a lot of depth and we work together as a team well. We know the game and I think that’s a great quality to have,” said Goins-Osburn.

The Lions will be back in action next weekend as they head to Bentonville, Ark., to take part in the UAM 8 State Classic hosted by Arkansas-Monticello.