FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2008

Southern Splits Season Opener At Northeastern State

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
 
Tahlequah, Okla. - Matt Mantle had four hits, two doubles, two RBIs and the save in game one, as the Missouri Southern Lion split a double-header with Northeastern State today to open the 2008 season. The Lions won game one, 7-4, but dropped the night cap 11-3.

Southern (1-1) got on top first, when catcher CJ Matthews singled and then stole second base in the second inning. Mantle then singled through the left side, scoring Matthews. Mantle would advance to second on the play.

The Lions scored two more runs in the top of the fourth when Matthews and Mantle started things again. Matthews singled to right and Mantle followed that up with a single through the right side, advancing Matthews to third. First baseman Derek Ezell then singled to left, scoring Matthews and moving Mantle to second. After a Skyler Rawlins walk to load the bases, Juan Hernandez reached on a fielding error by the pitcher, pushing home Mantle for the Lions third run.

NSU (3-3) would get two runs back in their half of the fourth when Matt Smith singled home two RiverHawk runs.

Southern scored three more times in the fifth. Jeff Katchmar started things off with a one-out single. Matthews then added his third hit of the game when he tripled to right center, scoring Katchmar. Mantle then doubled home Mathews and would later score on a wild pitch. The Lions would add one more late run, while NSU would tack on two more, but Southern would hold on for the season-opening win.

Mantle went 4-4 on the day with two doubles, two RBIs and a three runs scored. Matthews was 3-4 with an RBI and three runs scored and a triple. Ezell had three hits and two RBIs, while Hernandez picked up two hits.

Ryan Verfurth started for the Lions and went five innings, allowing three runs, and striking out six, while walking none. Scotty Roberson and Jacob Garrison combined for an inning and a third of relief, while Mantle picked up the game's final two outs for the save.

NSU would take game two handily as the RiverHawks scored four in the first and two in the second en route to 11 runs over the first six innings.

The Lions would get on the board first with two in the first and one in the second. Katchmar and Matthews would each drive in one in the inning. Hernandez picked up the Lions other RBI in the second.

Hernandez and Kenny Hart both went 2-4 in game two. Five other Lions would have a hit each.

Danny Sickles started on the mound for Southern and went two innings. Ryan Estes threw two innings, while Chris Green and Drew Jenkins pitched one inning each.

The Lions will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma beginning at 2:30 pm.