EMPORIA, Kan. — The No. 7-ranked Missouri Southern softball team (48-7) captured the 2026 MIAA Tournament Championship on Saturday afternoon, defeating the No. 6 seed Rogers State (36-19) 4-1 at Trusler Stadium. This marks the sixth MIAA Tournament title in program history for Missouri Southern and its first since 2001.
The championship was decided in a pivotal three-run seventh inning. Emily Perry delivered a crucial three-run home run, providing the decisive offense to secure the victory for the Lions. Pitcher Kiki Pickens was named the Most Outstanding Player for the 2026 MIAA Championship Tournament. Joining her on the 2026 MIAA All-Tournament Team were Gianna Saggese, Carsen Tinkler, Taylor Nuckolls, and Maddie Rolfs.
The 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, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Gianna Saggese, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
Rogers State responded in the sixth inning. Raelle Gorman reached first base on a fielding error, and advanced runners that eventually allowed a run to score on a hit-by-pitch, tying the game at 1-1 after six innings.
Missouri Southern quickly regained control in the seventh. Katie Gray doubled, and Carsen Tinkler was intentionally walked, setting the stage for Perry. Her three-run homer to left center clinched the championship. Perry led the Lions' offense, collecting three RBI and stealing a base. Tinkler contributed a hit, a run scored, and a stolen base.
Strong pitching was a hallmark of the matchup, with Missouri Southern allowing only one hit and striking out 11 batters. Kiki Pickens delivered a significant performance, 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. Pickens' 172 strikeouts this season set a new career best, surpassing her 2025 total of 164. She now ranks second all-time in MSSU single-season history, surpassing Britany Hargis, who had 167 in 2001. Additionally, Pickens moves to second all-time in MSSU program history with 446 career strikeouts, ahead of Holly Trantham's 438 from 1994-1997.
Emily Davis pitched the final 2/3 inning, adding one strikeout and securing the win. Her season record now stands at 19-4.
This championship victory means Missouri Southern secured both the MIAA Regular-Season and Tournament titles in the same season for the first time since 2001. The Lions' 48 wins in 2026 rank third all-time in program history, behind 50 wins in 1992 and 52 in 2001.
The team will next compete as the top seed in the Central 1 Regional, which Missouri Southern will host in Joplin. The Lions are set to face the 8-seeded Augustana University Vikings at 3 P.M. on May 14 in the double-elimination first round. The winner of this game will advance to play the winner of the Southern Arkansas versus St. Cloud State matchup. Tickets for all Joplin Regional games are priced at $5 and will be available only at the gate, with gates opening two hours prior to the listed game time.
