March 27, 2012

Box Score

The Missouri State softball team (14-11, 3-3) battled to a split against visiting Kansas (23-7) at Killian Stadium on Tuesday. The Bears dropped the opener, 4-2, but rebounded from an early deficit to take a come-from-behind 5-4 win in game two.

"It is tough to come back when you are that close to winning in game one," said head coach Holly Hesse. "I am really proud of our team for having the mental mindset to say `hey, we can come back in this one.' We had a number of quality at-bats against Big 12 pitching and our offense is starting to come around and that what we need."

Heather Duckworth, Chelsea Jones and Stevie Pierce each had three hits on the day to lead the Bears. Duckworth had a pair of RBI and a runs scored while Pierce drove in one and scored another.

Natalie Rose fired her 11th complete game of the season in game one and picked up the win in relief in game two. She struck out seven KU hitters and didn't allow a walk in either game, the 12th and 13th appearances this season without issuing a free pass.

Game 1 (Missouri State 2, Kansas 4)
The Bears jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Ashley Brentz drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single through the left side by Chelsea Jones. With two outs, Stevie Pierce lined a double to left center, scoring Brentz from second for a 1-0 Bears' lead.

Kansas got four hits and a fielding error to begin the sixth inning. The Jayhawks quickly turned it into a four run inning to pull ahead, 4-1.

The Bears wouldn't get discouraged though. In the bottom of the sixth, Pierce and Duckworth singled back-to-back with two outs. Pinch runner Alissa Trickey advanced on a wild pitch and scored on the Duckworth base hit.

In the Bears' last at-bat, MSU would continue to battle even after the first two outs. Kirstin Cutter and Ashley Brentz singled, but were left stranded as the game ended.

Game 2 (Missouri State 5, Kansas 4)
The Bears faced an early deficit in game two as Kansas got the first seven batters on base leading to three runs in the top of the first. A pair of fielder's choice groundouts and a fly-out limited the damage.

Missouri State battled back in its half of the inning. A one-out walk by Ashley Brentz got the rally started. Stevie Pierce and Chelsea Jones followed with back-to-back singles, but Brentz was tagged out at the plate attempting to score on the Jones hit. Rebecca McPherson didn't let the rally stop as she singled in Pierce to get the Bears on the board.

In the fourth inning, McPherson was hit by a pitch giving the Bears a leadoff runner. Two batters later, Heather Duckworth singled and then Erin Duewel drew a 14-pitch walk to load the bases. Back-to-back singles by Lauren Eisenreich and Kirstin Cutter plated three runs to give the Bears a 4-3 advantage.

After Kansas tied the game in the top of the fifth, it was rally time for the Bears again. Jones led off with a single up the middle. McPherson and Kerri Cunningham sacrificed pinch runner Ciara Flau to second and third, respectively. Duckworth came to the plate and singled to drive home the go-ahead run.

Missouri State will hit the road for another five-game escapade with a trip to Drake for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 31 and a single game on Sunday, April 1 with games beginning at 12:00 p.m. both days. The Bears will revisit UMKC on Tuesday, April 3 for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader before returning to Killian Stadium for a nine-game home stand beginning on Friday, April 6.