WICHITA – Newman and Missouri Southern kicked off their series Thursday night at McCarthy Field.  The Newman offense was hot early and answered every move the Lions made.  The Jets bullpen carried the way after a shaky start allowing just one run in 6 innings of work to earn the series opening win 16-9.

Final MSSU 9 Newman 16

The Jets now hold a 21-17 (11-14 MIAA) record following the series win.  MSSU drops to 24-16 (14-11 MIAA) with the loss at McCarthy Field on Thursday night.

Newman jump started the offense on the day with a 2 RBI double by Carson Hawks who later scored on a passed ball in the first inning.

Newman starting pitcher had an effective top of the first, but lost his command in the top of the second as a leadoff walk scored on an RBI double of the Lions' own by Treghan Parker.  The Lions added another a sacrifice fly.

The Jets added 4 to their lead with a two RBI triple from Tyler Push who scored on a Zack Stewart sacrifice fly.  The fourth run was easily the loudest of the game as Carson Hawks sent a pitch into orbit for a solo blast.

Missouri Southern wound up taking the lead and bounced VanDeventer from the game with a 6 spot in the top of the third.  The Jets responded back and evened the game with a Jake Angelico RBI triple.

Angelico finished just a homerun shy of the cycle.

After working his way through two on and nobody out in the third, Crae Pfannenstiel picked up his second win of the season.  Pfannenstiel's line finished at 4 innings, 5 hits, 1 run and 2 strikeouts.

Pfannenstiel became the pitcher of record as the Jets added 8 more runs while he was pitching.

The Jets took advantage of a throwing error by the Lion shortstop in the bottom of the fourth as the Jets rattled off 5 runs following the error.

Newman got their final 3 runs of insurance in the bottom of the sixth off of an Anthony Ferrante home run and a Zack Stewart 2 RBI double after Tyler Push welcomed the new Lions pitcher to the game with a magnificent sacrifice bunt.

Jaret Granger tossed one relief inning in the seventh just two days removed from his first win in the navy and red before giving way to lockdown Ian Lecki who tossed 4 strikeouts over the final two innings.

The Jets emerged victorious for their second consecutive weekend series opener.

Up next the Jets and Missouri Southern will continue their series at McCarthy Field with game two on Friday.  First pitch is slated for 3 PM.  Coverage will be available on The MIAA Network and Newman Jets Audio Network all series long.  For more information stay tuned to newmanjets.com.