Missouri Southern softball captured the 2026 MIAA Tournament Championship Saturday afternoon in Emporia, Kansas, defeating No. 6 seed Rogers State 4-1 at Trusler Stadium. The top-seeded and No. 7-ranked Lions (48-7) earned their sixth MIAA Tournament title in program history, marking the first time the team has won the championship since 2001.
The victory was sealed by a crucial three-run seventh inning. With the game tied 1-1, Emily Perry hit a decisive three-run home run to left center after Katie Gray doubled and Carsen Tinkler was intentionally walked. This offensive burst secured the win for Missouri Southern.
Pitcher Kiki Pickens was named the Most Outstanding Player for the 2026 MIAA Championship Tournament. Teammates Gianna Saggese, Carsen Tinkler, Taylor Nuckolls, and Maddie Rolfs were also recognized, earning spots on the 2026 MIAA All-Tournament Team.
The game remained scoreless through the first three innings. Missouri Southern broke the deadlock in the fourth inning when Micah Snider, pinch-running for Tinkler, scored on a sacrifice fly by Gianna Saggese, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. Rogers State tied the game in the sixth inning; Raelle Gorman scored on a hit-by-pitch, following a fielding error and two wild pitches.
Beyond her game-winning home run, Emily Perry collected three RBI and stole a base for the Lions. Carsen Tinkler contributed with a hit, scoring a run, and securing a stolen base.
Kiki Pickens delivered a strong performance from the mound, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing only one hit and one earned run. Pickens struck out 10 batters and issued just one walk, throwing 75 strikes out of 115 pitches. Emily Davis contributed by pitching the final 2/3 inning, adding one strikeout and securing the win, bringing her season record to 19-4.
Pickens' performance also contributed to new career milestones. She now has a career-best 172 strikeouts this season, surpassing her 2025 total of 164. This achievement moves her to second all-time in MSSU single-season history, overtaking Britany Hargis, who had 167 strikeouts in 2001. Additionally, Pickens now ranks second all-time in MSSU program history with 446 career strikeouts, moving ahead of Holly Trantham's 438 strikeouts recorded between 1994 and 1997.
Missouri Southern’s 48 wins in 2026 rank third all-time in program history, trailing only the 50 wins in 1992 and 52 wins in 2001. The Lions also captured both the MIAA Regular-Season and Tournament titles in the same season for the first time since 2001, matching a significant historical achievement for the program.
The Lions will continue their postseason run at home in Joplin, facing the 8-seeded Augustana University Vikings at 3 P.M. on May 14. This game marks the double-elimination first round of the Central 1 Regional. The winner of this matchup 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.
