Missouri Southern Puts on Home-Run Derby Against Ichabods; Rice Hits 3-Homers in Lions Victory
JOPLIN, MO — #8 Missouri Southern squared off against the Washburn Ichabods for game three of their series to decide who walks away with the series win.
The Lions went on to win the game, 11-8, to win the series. They improve to 26-6 on the year and 13-3 in conference.
Garrett Rice had a massive day going 3-for-4 with 5 RBI’s and hit 5 home-runs.
Game Recap —
Missouri Southern got off to a fast start in the second inning when Garrett Rice and Henry Kusiak both ripped off two-run homers in the inning to give the Lions th early 4-0 lead.
Washburn got two back in the third to close the gap to two runs at 4-2.
Rice hit his second home-run of the day in the bottom of the 3rd, it was another two-run to extend the lead 6-2.
Washburn tied the game at 6-all in the top of the 4th after scoring 4 runs.
The Lions responded again after Drew Townsend hit a solo home-run to retake the lead 7-6.
The Ichabods also answered the Lions with a run of their own to tie the game once again in the top of the 5th inning.
Kusiak came through big-time in the bottom of the 6th singling up the middle to give Southern the lead, 8-7. A few batters later, Will Doherty smashed a two-run homer to extend their lead 10-8.
In the bottom of the 7th, Rice hit his third home-run of the day, this time a solo homer to push the Lions lead to 4 runs.
Washburn got one back in the top of the 8th, but ultimately, the Lions held on to win.
Pitcher Michael Moore earned the win after going; 2.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 strikeouts.
Relief Pitcher Trent Harris also had a big outing striking out 5 batters in 2.2 innings pitched
Stats —
Rice– 3-for-4, 5 RBI’s, 3 HR’s
Kusiak– 3-for-5, 3 RBI’s, one HR
Townsend– 4-for-5, one RBI, one HR
Doherty– 2-for-4, 2 RBI’s, one HR
What’s Next?
The Lions will play a mid-week game at home on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at Warren Turner Field against Rogers State.
