Joplin, MO – The Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) softball team, ranked No. 7 nationally, captured the 2026 MIAA Tournament Championship with a 4-1 victory over No. 6 seed Rogers State. The championship game was held Saturday afternoon at Trusler Stadium in Emporia, Kansas. This marks the Lions' sixth MIAA Tournament title in program history and their first since 2001.
Missouri Southern (48-7) secured the championship with a three-run rally in the seventh inning against Rogers State (36-19). Emily Perry delivered a pivotal three-run home run to left center, breaking a 1-1 tie and providing the decisive offense for the win. Her homer followed a double by Katie Gray and an intentional walk issued to Carsen Tinkler, setting the stage for Perry's go-ahead hit.
Earlier in the game, Missouri Southern broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning. Tinkler doubled to left field, and Micah Snider entered as a pinch runner. Snider later scored on a sacrifice fly by Gianna Saggese, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. The game remained scoreless through the first three innings as both teams sought to capitalize on opportunities.
Rogers State leveled the score in the sixth inning. Raelle Gorman reached first base on a fielding error and advanced on wild pitches before scoring on a hit-by-pitch, tying the game at 1-1 after six innings. Despite this brief setback, MSSU maintained its composure, with Perry's late-game heroics defining the outcome.
Kiki Pickens was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player for the 2026 MIAA Championship Tournament due to her performance. In the championship game, Pickens pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit and one earned run. She recorded 10 strikeouts and issued just one walk, throwing 75 strikes out of 115 pitches. Pickens' season total of 172 strikeouts surpasses her 2025 record of 164 and places her second all-time in MSSU single-season history, moving ahead of Britany Hargis, who had 167 in 2001. Additionally, Pickens now holds the second all-time position in MSSU program history with 446 career strikeouts, passing Holly Trantham's 438 from 1994-1997. Emily Davis contributed by pitching the final 2/3 inning, adding one strikeout and earning the win, bringing her season record to 19-4.
Beyond Pickens, several other Lions received individual accolades. Gianna Saggese, Carsen Tinkler, Taylor Nuckolls, and Maddie Rolfs were all named to the 2026 MIAA All-Tournament Team. Emily Perry led the team offensively in the championship with her home run, three RBI, and a stolen base. Carsen Tinkler also contributed by scoring a run, registering a hit, and securing a stolen base.
This championship marks a significant achievement for the Missouri Southern program. The 2026 season's 48 wins rank third all-time in program history, behind only 50 wins in 1992 and 52 wins in 2001. This season also saw Missouri Southern capture both the MIAA Regular-Season and Tournament titles in the same season for the first time since 2001. The team had last competed in the MIAA Tournament Championship Final in 2023.
The Lions will now advance to the Central 1 Regional, which will be held in Joplin. They 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 that contest will advance to play the winner of the game between Southern Arkansas and St. Cloud State. Tickets for all Joplin Regional games are priced at $5 and will be available exclusively at the gate. Gates are scheduled to open two hours prior to the listed game time.
