FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 13, 2009

Softball splits season openers in Arkansas

UAM Box Score

Monticello, Ark. -The Missouri Southern softball team split a pair of games today in the Arkansas-Monticello tournament, defeating Arkansas Tech, 3-0 in the opener, before falling to host UAM 6-5 in the second game.

The Lions (1-1) had a stellar game from junior pitcher Whitney Clute  against ATU (4-3) as she scattered two hits, while striking out two and walking just one in seven innings to earn the shutout.

Southern scored a run in the third when freshman Natalie Nelson singled to center field and scored on a double to right center from senior Angie Turner. The Lions picked up two more runs in the seventh when senior Lauryn Berger singled to start the inning and was pinch ran for with freshman Randi Russell. Senior Amanda Godfrey sacrificed Russell to second when freshman Brianna Volkmann reached on an infield single. Russell would score on the play when Volkman got caught up in a run down between first and second. Nelson picked up an RBI of her own later in the inning, driving in Kelli Bax who had reached on a single and later stole second.

In the Lions' second game, Arkansas-Monticello (8-0) scored three runs in the fourth inning to go on top 6-4. A lone run from Southern in the fifth would not be enough.

Southern had another strong performance from Clute as the junior went 2-4 at the plate with a run and two RBIs, including a home run. Turner picked up a home run to the opposite field and Volkman drove in two, while sophomore catcher Lauren Hasty went 2-3 with a run scored.

The Lions will be back in action tomorrow, facing off with Arkansas Tech again at noon, then taking on Delta State at 4 pm.