JOPLIN, Miss. – The East Central University baseball team traveled to Joplin, Missouri for a midweek non-conference matchup, falling by a score of 20-1 to Missouri Southern State University Tuesday afternoon.
 
MSSU jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first inning to take control of the game early.
 
The Lions offense stayed hot throughout the game, scoring in all but the last two innings.
 
The Tigers picked up five hits on the day. Dawerlyn Amancio helped the Tigers avoid a shutout in the sixth with an RBI double to right center that drove in Duncan Key who led off with a single. But ECU was unable to put together any other scoring opportunities.  
 
Duncan Key led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 and scoring a run.
 
Nolan Herchock, Christian Whitaker, and Dawerlyn Amancio each had one hit.
 
The East Central University Baseball team will return to Ken Turner Field for their first GAC and home series of the season. They will host Arkansas-Monticello Friday, Feb. 17 with a single game at 2 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 18 with a double header at 12 and 2 p.m.