FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2007

Southern drops two extra inning games to Pittsburg State, 3-2/12-11


Game One Box | Game Two Box

Joplin, Mo. - Two errors in game one led to three un-earned runs and five errors in game two caused four un-earned and the Missouri Southern softball team dropped a pair to Pittsburg State today in non conference action at Gene Wild Field, 3-2 and 12-11.

Lacee Craig went ten innings in game one for Southern (2-6), allowing just five hits and three un-earned runs as she faced off with PSU pitcher Stephanie Moore in a pitcher's duel.

Both teams were scoreless for the first six innings before the Gorillas (3-3) put a run on the board in the top of the seventh on an RBI single from Melissa Slayden.

The Lions answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Jennifer Goolsby moved to second on a wild pitch but took third after the catcher's throw was wide of the bag. She then scored when the shortstop's throw sailed past the third baseman to tie the game at one.

Both teams picked up a run in the ninth, but PSU's Lori Lockhart drove in Jill Havens for the game winner with a sacrifice fly in the 10th.

Andrea Childs was 4-4 at the plate with an RBI in game one. Three others had a hit apiece.

Southern fell behind 3-0 after a PSU three-run first inning in game two. The Lions answered back with two runs in the third on an RBI single from Angie Turner and an RBI triple from Tamika Barnes.

Barnes pitched the first five and a third innings of game two, before giving way to Kelli Bax in the sixth. The Gorillas added a run in the fifth and sixth, and Southern answered with a home run from Turner in the bottom of the fifth, before the Lions busted out a seven-run bottom half of the sixth to go ahead 10-5.

The inning started with a double from Racheal Bowen. JT Taylor followed that up with a double of her own driving in Bowen. Childs, Kate Britten both singled, scoring Taylor, then Linsay Bellm doubled to left center scoring both runners. Three more runs would score in the inning, as the Lions batted around.

PSU came right back with five runs in the top of the seventh. A hit by pitch, an error, and another hit by pitch loaded the bases. The Lions looked to catch a break as they got the lead runner out at home after a wild pitch. However, a single and a double scored three runs, and the Gorillas went on to tie the game up.

After placing a runner on second via the International Tie Breaker, PSU sacrificed Havens over to third with the first batter of the eighth inning. She was out at home, however, when Lockhart grounded into a fielder's choice. Two singles and an error, gave the Gorillas all they'd need as a late run in the eighth for Southern wouldn't be enough.

Turner went 2-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs in game two. Taylor had a 4-5 day with two RBIs and a run, while Brittan was 2-4 with two runs and an RBI. Bowen had two hits, as well as Barnes.

Southern will now head to the Missouri Western Tournament this weekend. They'll face off with Truman State, Augustana, Southwest Minnesota and Nebraska-Omaha.