9th ranked Missouri Southern holds off Panthers

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— The Drury Panthers chipped away in the late innings but fell short in a 10-8 loss to ninth-ranked Missouri Southern State at Mark Worley Field at Meador Park in Springfield on Tuesday.
 
The Lions improved to 24-5, while Drury went to 7-11.
 
The Panthers took a 4-1 lead in the first inning, scoring four times in the opening frame with an RBI-double by Luke Burk, a two-RBI double by Tyler Bastunas, and an RBI single from Kellen Williamson.
 
Missouri Southern took the lead for good with a five-run fourth inning, taking advantage of two walks, a hit batsman, and an error. The Lions built a 10-4 lead in the seventh, but Drury worked its way back into the game.
 
The Panthers scored a run in the bottom of the seventh, then two more in the eighth. Brandon Holdren belted a solo home run in the ninth, his first of the season, to pull the Panthers within two runs of the lead, but Missouri Southern closer Laif Hultine got a strikeout to end the game and picked up his third save of the year.
 
Keaton Anderson (1-0) got the win in relief for the Lions and Zach McKinnis (0-2) took the loss for the Panthers.
 
Bastunas went 3 for 3 at the plate in the game for Drury and reached base four times. He had a double, two RBIs, two runs scored and was hit by a pitch.
 
Drury is back at home on Friday when they host Upper Iowa. The four-game conference series was moved to Springfield after winter weather was forecast in Fayette, Iowa. The first pitch is at 3 pm game on Friday at Mark Worley Field at Meador Park. 
 
 
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