FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2008

Lions split conference double-header with Pittsburg State

Game One Box | Game Two Box

Joplin, Mo. - Big innings were the story of the day as a six run inning lifted the Lions over Pittsburg State in game one and a four run frame in game two pushed the Gorillas past Southern and the two teams split a double-header today at Gene Wild Field. Southern won game one 6-4, while PSU won game two, 7-4.

The Lions (5-19, 2-4 MIAA) trailed 1-0 in game one, before they broke out with a six run fourth inning. Kayleigh Cecil singled through the left side to start the inning. A single from Amanda Godfrey put runners at first and second and Angie Turner singled home Cecil to tie the game. Megan Roark reached on an error, scoring Godfrey and Julie Taylor singled up the middle scoring both runners to give the Lions a 4-1 lead. RBI singles from Tamika Barnes and Trish Washburn capped off the six run frame for the Lions.

Three late runs from Pitt (13-19, 1-1 MIAA) in the sixth wouldn't be enough.

Barnes went the distance in the opener, striking out one and allowing just three earned. Barnes and Cecil were 3-3 in the game with a run and an RBI, while Godfrey and Turner had two hits each.

Game two remained scoreless for the first three innings before the Gorillas put a two spot on the board in the top of the fourth. Starting pitcher, Tiffany Swanson doubled to left field scoring two to give Pitt an early lead.

The lead would be short-lived, however, as with two runners on in the fifth, Cecil blasted a shot over the left field wall, driving in Barnes and Washburn to give the Lions the 3-2 lead.

Pitt tied the game back up with a run in the top of the sixth, but the Lions pushed another run across in the bottom half of the inning when Turner scored on an Andrea Childs RBI single.

The Gorillas, however, scored four runs in the top of the seventh to put the game away.

Cecil  went 2-3 with three RBIs and a run scored in game two, giving her five hits, four RBIs and two runs scored in the double-header. Bax added two hits, while Turner, Barnes and Washburn all scored. Lauryn Berger started and went five and a third innings, striking out two and allowing just three earned runs to get the no-decision.

The Lions will be back in action this weekend, going to Edmond, Oklahoma to play double-headers against both Southwestern Oklahoma State and Central Oklahoma.