Game One: Tech 2, MSSU 1 Kambri Hill scored the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth inning and Kelsie Barker pitched a complete game to lead Arkansas Tech to a 2-1 win over Missouri Southern in Wednesday’s opener. Hill scored on an error by Missouri Southern to break a 1-1 tie. Barker (1-1) took it from there, retiring the Lions in order in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings. She allowed six hits, struck out five and walked one while earning her first pitching victory as a Golden Sun. Alex Edinger was 3-for-4 for Arkansas Tech, while Courtney Colunga, Chelsea Reeves and Ashley Savage contributed two base hits apiece. Savage hit a solo home run in the second inning, and it was her second base hit of the day that led to the decisive MSSU error in the top of the sixth. Game Two: Tech 3, MSSU 2 Arkansas Tech held off a comeback bid by Missouri Southern to take a 3-2 win in the nightcap. A solo home run by Miranda Dupree, a sacrifice fly by Hill and an RBI triple by Savage gave the Golden Suns a 3-0 lead going to the bottom of the sixth inning. That was when Missouri Southern found its offense, rattling off three consecutive singles to start the inning. The Lions scored twice and had the tying run on base, but Barker — pitching in game two in a relief role — was able to retire the next three Missouri Southern batters to preserve a one-run Arkansas Tech lead. Barker retired the Lions in order in the bottom of the seventh to secure the victory and her first save of the season. Arkansas Tech starter Morgan Vaughan (3-0) was the winning pitcher. She allowed no runs on two hits over four innings.]]>
