Missouri State

Gracie Johnston delivered a dominant performance in the series opener against Evansville on Friday where she pitched a career-high 8.2 innings and shut out the Purple Aces in a 10-inning thriller that resulted in a Missouri State walk-off walk.  After MSU starter Madison Hunsaker left in the top of the second with an injury, Johnston came on in relief and allowed just three hits and no runs for the next 8.2 innings of work.  Facing a two-on, one-out situation, she struck out the first two batters she faced to end the threat and set the tone for her brilliant outing where she finished with six total strikeouts.  Against Valley hitters, Johnston finished as the league leader in ERA (1.31) and opponent’s batting average (.165).