The Missouri Southern softball team continues to struggle as of late.

The Lions dropped another three of four in last weekend’s Teri Zener Memorial Tournament.

The Lions were competitive in the tournament, but still did not get the results they wanted.  Southern opened the two-day tournament on March 6 with a loss to Oklahoma City University 4-1, but followed it up with a 4-1 win over Missouri Western State University.

“Overall I think we played well,” Lions Head Coach Bill Gray said.

“We just didn’t get hits when we needed them.”

The Lions offense did not muster much in the third game on that day.

Southern was shut out by No. 8 ranked Midwestern State University 7-0.

Southern closed out the tournament Sunday with a 9-6 loss to the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats.

“We had opportunities with the bases loaded [in the Midwestern State game], but we just couldn’t get runs in,” Gray said. “Overall we’re having better at bats, but we have to get the hits when we need them.”

The offense was not completely shut out over the weekend.

Megan Roark had another solid weekend for the Lions when she had all four of the team’s RBIs in the victory over Missouri Western. Roark hit a grand slam in the third inning. 

The Lions also battled the  Pittsburg State University Gorillas on March 9. 

The Lions played to a 7-7 tie with Jessica Brooks knocking in four of her team’s runs on the day.

“She struggled a little in the beginning of the game,” Gray said. “But she stepped up and did what she is capable of later.”

Southern continues to battle this weekend in the Pitt State Invitational.

The Lions will open the tournament with a matchup against Pitt State at 4 p.m. today and follow it up with a tough battle with Missouri-St. Louis at 6 p.m.

The tournament will continue tomorrow against Oklahoma City at 10 a.m. It will then close out with a noon game with Bemidji State.

“It’ll be a good test to see how much better we’ve got this week,” Gray said. “I’m confident we can get on a run and get ready for conference play. Hopefully we can get it going and make a run at it.”

Southern will also take on Missouri S&T in a doubleheader on Tuesday. The first game starts at 4 p.m.