Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern softball team dropped both ends of a double-header today to Central Missouri in a rain-soaked afternoon, losing 7-3 in game one and 6-3 in the nightcap.

The Lions (8-21, 1-7 MIAA) gave up three runs in the top of the first inning, but rebounded with three of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Kate Brittan singled to start the inning and Emily McPeters reached on an error, trying to sacrifice Brittan over. Angie Turner then singled to center, but the ball went under the fielder's glove allowing both runners to score. Turner would later score on an infield groundout.

Central (21-15, 6-0 MIAA) pitcher Lauren Young settled down and held the Lions scoreless for the final six innings earning her sixth win of the year.

The Lions had hits from Brittan, McPeters, Turner and Kayleigh Cecil.

Central scored a run in the first and two in the second to go up 3-0 after an inning and a half of game two. The Lions responded with two of their own in the second without the benefit of a hit. Racheal Bowen was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to third when Cecil laid down a sacrifice and was safe after an error by the catcher. Bowen scored after JT Taylor reached on an error and Cecil would later score on a wild pitch.

The Jennies scored three more runs in the third to go up 6-2 and the Lions would add one more run in the bottom of the sixth after Turner tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a double from Taylor.

Central held the Lions to just three hits in game two, as Taylor, Turner and McPeters all had hits. Kelli Bax pitched in relief and threw three and two thirds innings of one hit ball, shutting down the Jennies and striking out five, while walking one.

Southern will get right back at it tomorrow playing a double-header at Rockhurst at 3 pm.