Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern softball team ran into some tough pitching today and could muster just four hits in each game, losing 5-1 in game one and 3-1 in game two to Rogers State University at Gene Wild Field.

Southern (8-24) game one starter Lacee Craig allowed a run in the first, and two in each of the fifth and seventh. She went the distance, striking out three and allowing just two earned runs in the loss. Sam Neely drove in the only run on a pinch-hit single in the sixth. Andrea Childs, JT Taylor and Amanda Godfrey all had hits in the game.

Rogers (24-9) pitcher Kelli Dunagan did it on the mound and at the plate, striking out four and allowing just one run, while going 2-3 with an RBI at the plate.

Game two starter Tamika Barnes pitched well, going the distance and allowing just one run until the seventh when two unearned runs scored. She struck out one, and allowed just earned run in the game.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Lions started a rally. Childs singled up the middle and Taylor followed that with a hit to center of her own. Barnes then helped her cause wit a hit through the right side, scoring Childs for the Lions' only run of the nightcap.

McPeters, Childs, Taylor and Barnes all had hits for the Lions.

Southern will be back in action tomorrow when they take on Lincoln University at 1 p.m. They will resume game one from a double-header played earlier in the year, in which Southern is up 2-0 in the third inning. Game two will be played after the resumption of that game.