JOPLIN, Missouri – Northwest Missouri State held the No. 10-ranked Missouri Southern Lions to three hits but could not overcome 13 walks in a 7-6 loss on Friday night.

Missouri Southern broke a scoreless tie in the fifth, scoring three runs. The Lions drew five walks during the inning while not recording a hit.

Northwest got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth, plating two. Sophomore infielder Peter Carlson ignited the Bearcats’ bats, hitting a double to left field. Carlson scored when senior outfielder Derek Hussey slapped a single down the right field line and then advanced to second base on the throw. Hussey scored on an error during senior catcher Alixon Herrera’s at bat.

Missouri Southern answered in the top of the seventh, scoring four more and took a commanding 7-2 lead over the Bearcats.

Both teams came up scoreless in the eighth and the game entered the ninth inning favoring the Lions. Northwest pitching held Missouri Southern scoreless in the top of ninth and the Bearcats needed to make up five runs to extend the contest or six to win game one of the three-game series.

In the ninth, Northwest scored four runs on two hits and left two stranded in the game one loss to the Lions.

Six Northwest pitchers saw the mound during the game including sophomore Max Spitzmiller, freshman Gibson Brown, junior Ethan Griswold, freshman Max Ross, senior Jarret Cronin and sophomore Aaron Easley. Northwest pitching walked 13 Missouri Southern batters during the game, ultimately the deciding factor for the Lions.

Northwest falls to 10-13 overall and 6-7 in MIAA play.

The Bearcats will be back in action against Missouri Southern Saturday with first pitch scheduled for noon. The original start time was moved up due to expected rain later in the day.

NOTES: Herrera extended his hitting streak to four games…junior first baseman Conner Quick and Herrera extend their team-leading on-base streaks to seven games apiece

— Northwest Athletics —