Shawnee, Kan. -- Freshman Sam Neely sparked a three-run sixth inning with a two run, go ahead single to lift the Missouri Southern softball team to a 3-1 win in game two of a double-header with sixth ranked Emporia State. The teams concluded a previous game earlier with the Hornets winning 3-1 in the opener.

Southern (16-28, 5-11 MIAA) was limited to just one hit in the first five innings as Emporia (39-9, 12-2 MIAA) starter Courtney Reed held the Lion batters in check.

Trailing 1-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning, Kate Brittan started the inning with an infield single. Emily McPeters then sacrificed Brittan to second and Tamika Barnes walked on four straight. After a foul out, Sam Neely came in to pinch hit and delivered with a single to center field scoring both Brittan and Danielle Fuller who had entered to run for Barnes. Neely would score on an RBI single from Andrea Childs, putting the Lions up 3-1.

Lacee Craig started and after giving up a run in the first, she shut out the Hornets for the final six innings. She went all seven, scattering nine hits and striking out five.

Neely had a two-run single. Brittan, Racheal Bowen and Childs all had hits.

The Lions now move to 5-11 in MIAA play. The currently sit at seventh in the league with the top eight teams advancing to the MIAA Tournament. Southern will travel to Mankato, Minnesota tomorrow to compete in the MSU-Mankato tournament.