'Something special here': MSSU softball reaches most wins in season since 2001
Missouri Southern State University’s softball team tied head coach Hallie Blackney’s personal record of 41 wins in a season Friday when it swept Newman University at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex. When the University of Central Oklahoma came to town Saturday, it gave her a new career high and the most wins for the program in a single season since the 2001 campaign by sweeping the Bronchos as well, totaling 43 wins with two games left on the regular season schedule. But those last two games may be the biggest of the season for MSSU, promising hot action sports fans this weekend.
The Lions will face off with archrival Pittsburg State University — squaring up two of the best teams in the country and the top two teams in the MIAA. Not only is a conference title on the line, but PSU was No. 2 in the last NCAA rankings by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and MSSU was 12th.
The Lions are likely to improve when the new rankings come out Tuesday. “When you’re in the thick of it, I don’t know. We strive, from August until now, we’ve talked about being consistent the entire time,” Blackney said.
“We have really good player leadership on this team. The seniors have a ton of experience, and they’ve been able to bring the underclassmen up to where they’re at. ” The players have to produce on the field in the game.
But how many of those 43 wins and how much of that “consistency” Blackney talked about is actually due to what she does? “I feel like she’s definitely guided us with the consistency piece,” MSSU’s sophomore left fielder Bailey Dillon said. “She shows up every day.