Lions softball to host super regional after 6-1 win over Southern Arkansas
The No. 5 Missouri Southern State University softball team did what it has done most of the second half of the 2026 season — combine strong pitching, aggressive baserunning, a stingy defense and timely hitting en route to a 6-1 win over the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders Saturday at Pat Lipira Field in the championship finals of their Central Region pod. With the victory, head coach Hallie Blackney earned her 250th win in eight years at the helm of the program.
The 51-win total is the second most in MSSU history. The Lions (51-7) will host the University of Central Oklahoma, which won the other four-team Central Region pod Saturday. That super regional will be a best-of-three series that takes place Thursday and Friday at Pat Lipira Field, Game 1 is set for 6 p.
m. Thursday, and Game 2 is slated for 3 p. m.
Friday. If needed, Game 3 will follow on Friday. A trip to the Division II national championships May 28-June 3 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is on the line for both teams.
MSSU struck early Saturday, plating a run in the bottom of the first inning. Lead-off hitter Bailey Dillon singled and then proceeded to steal second and then third base. Katie Gray made sure Dillon’s effort paid off as she drove in Dillon with a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Lions an early 1-0 lead.