Missouri Southern softball captured the 2026 MIAA Tournament Championship with a 4-1 victory over No. 6 seed Rogers State on Saturday afternoon at Trusler Stadium in Emporia, Kansas. This marks the Joplin-based team's sixth MIAA Tournament title in program history and its first since 2001. The Lions, ranked No. 7 and top-seeded, secured the win with a crucial three-run seventh inning.
Emily Perry’s three-run home run in the seventh inning provided the decisive offense, breaking a 1-1 tie. Kiki Pickens was named the Most Outstanding Player for the 2026 MIAA Championship Tournament. The Lions also won the MIAA Regular-Season title, marking the first time since 2001 they captured both titles in the same season. The team's 48 wins in 2026 rank third all-time in program history, trailing only 50 wins in 1992 and 52 wins in 2001.
The championship game remained scoreless through the first three innings. Missouri Southern broke the deadlock in the fourth inning when Carsen Tinkler doubled to left field. Micah Snider, who entered as a pinch runner for Tinkler, later scored on a sacrifice fly by Gianna Saggese, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
Rogers State responded in the sixth inning, leveling the score at 1-1. Raelle Gorman reached first base on a fielding error, and after advancing on a pair of wild pitches, eventually scored on a hit-by-pitch. Despite this setback, Missouri Southern maintained its composure, setting the stage for the dramatic seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh, Katie Gray doubled, and Carsen Tinkler was intentionally walked, strategically setting up runners on base. Emily Perry then hit a three-run homer to left-center, securing the lead and ultimately the championship.
Pitcher Kiki Pickens delivered a strong performance, throwing 6 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit and one earned run while striking out 10 batters and issuing just one walk. Her 172 strikeouts this season set a career-best, surpassing her 2025 total of 164, and moved her to second all-time in MSSU single-season history. Pickens also advanced to second all-time in MSSU program history with 446 career strikeouts. Emily Davis contributed by pitching the final 2/3 inning, adding one strikeout and securing the win, bringing her season record to 19-4.
Joining Pickens on the 2026 MIAA All-Tournament Team were Gianna Saggese, Carsen Tinkler, Taylor Nuckolls, and Maddie Rolfs. Emily Perry led the Lions with a home run, collecting three RBI and stealing a base. Carsen Tinkler contributed with a run scored, a hit, and a stolen base.
The Lions will next compete in the Central 1 Regional, which will be held in Joplin. Their first game is scheduled for May 14 at 3 P.M. against the 8-seeded Augustana University Vikings in a double-elimination first-round matchup. The winner of that game will advance to face the winner of the Southern Arkansas versus St. Cloud State game. Tickets for all Joplin Regional games are priced at $5 and will be available only at the gate, which opens two hours prior to the listed game time.
