JOPLIN, Mo. - The Golden Bear softball team (8-15) fell in both games of a doubleheader to Missouri Southern (21-9) at the Teri Mathis-Zenner MIAA/NSIC Crossover. CSP fell 3-0 and 5-2 in the pair of games. 

Senior Rachel Novak led the Golden Bears with two hits, two walks, one stolen base and a run scored. Sophomore Bryleigh Dana also tallied two hits. Freshman Ava Blake hit an RBI single and Sydney Pelzer tallied a sacrifice fly. 

On the mound, Erica McCullough pitched five innings with a strikeout. She only gave up one hit in the first game. Tatum Dunlavy pitched the second game throwing two strikeouts. 

CSP is back in action on Sunday for a doubleheader against Pittsburg State (17-7) to finish the MIAA/NSIC Crossover. The games have been slightly moved one hour back to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at PSU Softball Field in Pittsburg, Kansas. 

Game One
The Lions scored all three runs in the bottom half of the first inning. After two walks, junior Emily Perry hit a three-run homer to left field. The home run came with two outs and two strikes. 

The Golden Bears only had one opportunity with a runner on base the rest of the game. Novak singled in the second inning, stole second and reached third on a wild pitch. CSP was unable to bring her home. 

CSP tallied a pair of double plays in the fourth inning and sixth inning. MSSU only tallied one hit the rest of the game. The Lions outhit CSP 2-1 and there were no errors in the game. 

Novak tallied the only hit for the Golden Bears. Perry and Kylee Jacks tallied the two hits for the Lions. 

Missouri Southern sophomore pitcher Kiki Pickens picked up her 10th win of the season pitching all seven innings. She struck out 11 CSP batters and only allowed one walk. 

McCullough pitched five innings for CSP. She allowed one hit, three walks and three earned runs. The senior threw one strikeout. Emmy Bowne pitched the final inning in relief while allowing one hit. 

Game Two
Missouri Southern scored the opening run of the game in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single by Kate Thurman. The score remained 1-0 until the fifth inning. MSSU scored three runs starting with a bases-loaded bunt to score. Jacks then hit an RBI single and Katie Gray hit a sac fly to lead, 4-0. 

The Golden Bears found home for the first time in the sixth inning. Novak and Katie Klotz singled to get runners on first and second. Blake then hit an RBI single up the middle, cutting the lead to 4-1. 

The Lions added a run in the sixth inning off a single by Peyton Hawkins. CSP threatened in the top of the seventh. Lily Burke singled to start it off and Riley Rosenthal brought her to third on a fielder's choice. Pelzer brought Burke in on a sacrifice fly for the final run of the game. 

Dana led the Golden Bears with two hits. Blake tallied a hit, RBI and a walk. Novak picked up a hit, walked and scored a run. 

Dunlavy pitched all six innings for CSP. She gave up six hits, five earned runs and two walks. The freshman threw two strikeouts. Her record falls to 4-4 this season.

Senior Avery Tallman picked up her ninth win of the season pitching 5.2 innings for the Lions. She allowed six hits, three walks and an earned run while tallying three strikeouts. NaTalia Sewell picked up a save in relief with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings.