JOPLIN, Mo. – The University of Sioux Falls softball team battled one of the nation's top programs this afternoon, dropping both games of a doubleheader at No. 4 Missouri Southern State. The Cougars fell 7–2 in the opener before a tight pitchers' duel ended in a 1–0 loss in game two.
Sioux Falls (12-13,0-0 NSIC) showed resilience throughout the day, jumping out to an early lead in game one and holding the nationally ranked Lions to a single run in the second contest. Missouri Southern State improved to 25-3 on the season.
Game One: No. 4 Missouri Southern State 7, Sioux Falls 2
The Cougars struck first in the opening inning. Meghan Jochimsen reached on an error and Emma Kristof followed with a single before Hanna Raethz delivered an RBI single to center field, giving Sioux Falls an early 1–0 lead.
Missouri Southern responded quickly in the bottom half of the inning when Emily Perry doubled to left center to drive in a run and even the score at 1–1.
The Lions gained control in the third inning, plating three runs on four hits. Taylor Nuckolls delivered an RBI single before Perry reached on an error to score another run. Maddie Rolfs capped the rally with an RBI double to push the Missouri Southern advantage to 4–1.
Sioux Falls answered in the fifth inning. Brianna DeLorenzo was hit by a pitch and later came around to score when Kristof singled to left center to cut the deficit to 4–2.
Missouri Southern added insurance in the bottom of the fifth with two unearned runs before adding one more in the sixth to secure the 7–2 victory.
Kristof finished with two hits for the Cougars while Raethz drove in a run. Sioux Falls collected five hits in the contest.
Game Two: No. 4 Missouri Southern State 1, Sioux Falls 0
The nightcap turned into a defensive battle and pitching duel that remained scoreless until the second inning.
Missouri Southern's Carsen Tinkler provided the lone run of the game with a solo home run to left field, giving the Lions a 1–0 lead.
From that point forward, the Cougars held Missouri Southern in check defensively. Lauryn Foudree worked through multiple threats and kept the Lions from adding to their lead while the Sioux Falls defense turned in several key plays behind her.
Sioux Falls struggled to generate offense against Missouri Southern starter Emily Davis, who limited the Cougars to just one hit in the game. Hanna Raethz recorded the lone Sioux Falls hit with a single in the fourth inning.
Despite the offensive challenges, the Cougars remained within striking distance into the final inning before Missouri Southern secured the narrow 1–0 win.
Up Next
Sioux Falls will open NSIC play next weekend at Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, March 21st followed by another doubleheader at MSU Moorhead on the 22nd.
Stay Connected
For all things Sioux Falls Softball, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Be the first to know what's going on inside USF Athletics by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter!
