FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mar. 28, 2008

Lions take opener from Washburn, but fall in nightcap

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

Topeka, Kan.. - The Missouri Southern Lions rallied from a four-run deficit to take the opener from the Washburn Ichabods 6-5 Friday afternoon (Mar. 28) at Falley Field in Topeka, Kan. The Ichabods then rebounded to take the nightcap 16-6.

The Lions were down 5-1 heading into the sixth inning of a seven-inning contest but scored three runs to pull within 5-4. Juan Hernandez singled to lead off the inning and then crossed the plate on a single by Cliff Wheeler. Jeff Katchmar then singled home Derek Ezell and Kenny Hart as the Lions took advantage of two WU errors to score a pair of unearned runs in the inning.

Southern jumped ahead in the seventh when Matt Mantle drew a lead-off walk and then scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Wheeler then beat out a bunt back to the pitcher to plate CJ Matthews for the go-ahead tally.

Starting pitcher Tyler Lipscomb hit the lead-off batter in the seventh but didn't allow another base runner to seal the win for the Lions.

Lipscomb (2-3) went the full seven innings and allowed five runs, four earned on nine hits.

Calvin Iverson drove in four runs to lead the Ichabod charge in the second game that was scheduled for nine innings but was called after seven due to the run rule.

The Lions (7-17, 5-5 MIAA) took the lead with a pair of runs in the second on a bases-loaded walk to Skyler Rawlins and a sacrifice fly by Alec French.

The Ichabods (7-10, 4-6 MIAA) answered with three runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead and three more in the third to go ahead 6-2.

WU then exploded for six runs in the fourth inning that was keyed by a two-run single by Iverson that plated two unearned runs.

The Ichabods put it away with four runs in the seventh as Wes Joy walked to lead off the inning and was tripled home by Brian Gorges. Cameron Kasel then had a two-run double and Joe Hosey had an RBI single in the inning for WU.

Scotty Roberson got the loss for the Lions after pitching three innings and giving up eight runs, seven earned on 10 hits.

Washburn starter Brett Sorensen was the winning pitcher after lasting five innings and allowing five runs and five hits.

MSSU and WU will wrap up the two-day, four-game series with another seven inning and nine inning doubleheader tomorrow (Mar. 29) beginning at 1 p.m.