FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mar. 6, 2007

Four run inning lifts Northern State over Lions, 7-3

Joplin, Mo. - Payton McCleary went 3-4 to lead the Northern State Wolves past the Missouri Southern Lions 7-3 in a contest at the Larry Hickey Classic Tuesday evening (Mar. 6) at Joe Becker Stadium.

The Wolves scored their first run in the top of the first and then took a commanding five-run lead with four runs in the third inning that was keyed by a two-run double by Adam Kampsen.

Southern scored a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning when Henry Adams doubled to lead off the inning and came around to score on an RBI single from Matt Mantle. Mantle then crossed the plate on an RBI groundout by David Cheney, who was in the game for Jeff Katchmar. Katchmar left the game in the first inning with a dislocated shoulder after diving for a ball in the outfield.

The Wolves effectively put the game away in the sixth by tallying two runs on run-scoring singles from James Paul and McCleary.

Northern State hurler Tyler Fries pitched a superb game for the Wolves, going seven innings and allowing only the two runs on six hits.

Lucas Vestal got the start for the Lions and received the loss after giving up five runs on nine hits in five innings pitched.

The Lions will play two on Wednesday (Mar. 7), beginning with another outing with Northern State at 1 p.m. The Lions will then face Morningside at approximately 3:30 p.m. at Joe Becker Stadium.