JOPLIN, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State baseball team dropped its series finale to the No. 13-ranked Missouri Southern State Lions, 16-3, at Warren Turner Field. 
 
The Bearcats saw their record fall to 4-7 and 0-3 in the MIAA, as the Lions secured their 10th win of the 2025 campaign, improving to 10-2 and 3-0 in league play. 

The Lions' offense exploded for 16 runs on 15 hits, securing the series sweep over the Bearcats.

Dylan Hufft paced Northwest at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Kaehukai Young and Parker Griffith each drove in a run.

Northwest struck first in the opening inning after working three walks to load the bases. Young drew a fourth consecutive free pass, bringing in Alex Bowers for an early 1-0 lead.

Bearcat starter Landon Wells struck out the first batter he faced but surrendered a solo home run to Ethan Clark, giving MSSU a 2-1 lead after the first frame.

The Lions extended their lead with four runs on four hits in the second, pushing the margin to 5-1.

Ryan Williams notched Northwest's first hit of the game in the third, followed by a Hufft single to center. Another bases-loaded walk, this time drawn by Griffith, cut the deficit to three. However, MSSU continued its offensive surge, tacking on 10 more runs across the fourth and sixth innings to seal the victory.

Wells went 2 2/3 innings, striking out four while allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits. Connor Polli, Jaxon Meyer, and Logan Brasel all saw action in relief.
 
Northwest will return home to face Concordia-St. Paul in its home-opening series. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at the Bearcat Baseball Field. 

NOTES
Northwest did not record an extra-base hit for the third time this season…the Bearcats stranded 10 runners on base…Bearcat baserunners are 15-of-16 in stolen base attempts this season…Fifteen of MSSU's 16 runs were earned…A total of 15 free passes were issued between both squads (12 walks and 3 HBPs).