FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apr. 23, 2008

Lions settle for split with Miners in non-conference doubleheader

Game 1 Box  Game 2 Box

Rolla, Mo. - Derek Ezell went a combined 4-6 and drove in three runs to help the Missouri Southern Lions split a seven-inning doubleheader with the Missouri School of Science and Technology Miners (formerly Missouri-Rolla) Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 23) in Rolla, Mo.  The Miners won the opener 13-3, with the Lions coming back to win the nightcap 6-3.

The Lions scored the first run in the opener when Ezell singled home Juan Hernandez.  The Miners came back with a run in the bottom of the first to tie the score and then scored three unearned runs in the second inning to take a 4-1 lead.

Jeff Katchmar brought Southern to within a run at 4-3 with a two-run homer in the third inning, but the Miners responded with four runs in the bottom half of the third to take a commanding 8-3 advantage.  The Miners added one run in the fifth and four more in the sixth to seal the victory.

The Lions began the second game much like the opener by cracking the scoreboard first as Hernandez led off the first inning with a single and later scored on a passed ball.

Thomas McCormick hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first for the Miners to even the score at 1-1, but the Lions (18-26, 15-13 MIAA) jumped right back on top when Ezell singled home two runs in the second to put Southern up 3-1.

The Miners (17-20) then got a run of their own on a passed ball when Davenport crossed the plate to make it 3-2 Lions after two innings.

Lee Hall and Matt Mantle helped break the game open by keying a three-run Lion fifth inning with RBI singles that gave Southern a 6-2 advantage. 

Southern starter Chris Green pitched five innings and allowed only two runs on two hits and struck out four to earn the victory.

Hall helped lead the Lion offensive attack by going 3-4 in game two with one run scored and one RBI.

The Lions will now gear up for an important MIAA series with Missouri Western beginning on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 26) at 4 p.m. with a seven and nine-inning doubleheader at Joe Becker Stadium.  The Lions and Western are currently tied for fourth place in the MIAA, with the top four teams advancing to the MIAA Postseason Tournament.