Joplin, Mo. - Led by freshman Emersen Heron's standout pitching, the Maryville softball team won both of its games at Missouri Southern's Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament. Over two games, the freshman threw 12.1 innings, allowed just three singles and did not give up an earned run.
 
Against Northern State, the Saints struck first with a run in the bottom of the first when Taylor Duff reached on an error and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Maryville doubled its lead in the second when Taylor Shingler's fielder's choice plated pinch runner Tori Forbeck. The Saints pushed across another run in the fourth inning as a fielding error scored pinch runner Ally Wilson.
 
After Northern State scored two in the top of the fifth, Saints tallied an insurance run in the bottom of fifth. Emily Corona singled and Emersen Heron doubled her home for the final score of the game. In the circle, Heron gave up two runs on just two hits with seven Ks to pick up the win. Shingler led the offense with two RBIs.
 
Taking on host Missouri Southern, Shingler opened the game with a triple, and Erin Sammelmann singled her home. The tally would prove to be the only run of the game. Olivia Jarvis started the game and only gave up one hit before Heron took over in the second inning and escaped a bases-loaded jam. The Saints nearly pushed across another run in the fourth but left the bases loaded. Heron kept the Lions off the scoreboard and allowed one single in the fourth inning to help finish off the combined shutout.
 
The Saints (4-6) are next in action Saturday as they host Parkside Saturday, March 5, for their first home action of the season, with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.