FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mar. 7, 2009

Lions sweep double-header with Truman

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern baseball team swept a double-header from visiting Truman today, winning 7-6 in the opener and 12-6 in the nightcap. The wins move the Lions to 5-0 in MIAA play for the first time since the 1995 season when the team went 45-13 in head coach Bryce Darnell's junior season as a player for Southern.

The Lions (11-6, 5-0 MIAA) jumped out in front in game one scoring two runs in the first and one in the third to go up 3-0 after two. Derek Ezell had an RBI single, while Justin Beal drove in a run, as well in the first. Shayne Hoke doubled in the second and scored on an RBI double from Zach Caldwell.

Truman (1-15, 0-7 MIAA) scored five runs in the third to go ahead 5-3, but the Lions picked up an unearned run in the fifth to cut the lead to one. Truman picked up a run in the top of the seventh, but the Lions tied the game with two in the bottom of the inning. Ezell started the inning with a triple to center, and Beal singled him home. Jacob Taylor singled and Beal scored on an error. Trent Owens singled to start the bottom of the ninth for the Lions and moved to second on a ground out from Beal. Taylor then singled home Owens with the winning run.

Ezell went 3-5 with two RBI's and a run scored, including a triple. Taylor and Hoke both had three hits, and Skyler Rawlins scored twice. Ryan Verfurth started the game and went five innings, allowing just three earned runs, while striking out five and walking none. Carter Lance pitched the final two and a third innings and allowed just one hit to get the win.

Corey Wells went all seven innings in game two, sailing through the first six innings, before Truman scored six runs in the seventh. He struck out seven and allowed just three earned runs.

The Lions got off to a hot start, scoring all 12 runs over the first four innings. Kenny Hart had a triple and a homer, his fifth of the year, going 3-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Juan Hernandez went 2-3 with a homer, two RBIs and a run scored, while Taylor and Beal drove in three and two, respectively.

The Lions and Bulldogs will finish the series tomorrow (March 8) with a single, nine-inning game at Noon at Joe Becker Stadium.