April 29, 2012

Box Score

The Missouri State softball team (22-23, 10-13) fell in the series finale, 3-2, to visiting Indiana State (19-31, 6-17) at Killian Stadium on Sunday. The Bears battled back from an early deficit, but were unable to tie the game late on Senior Day.

Senior Natalie Rose fired her fourth complete game of the week. She allowed just one earned run, struck out one hitter and issued a walk, an intentional pass in the fourth.

Ashley Brentz went 2-for-2 and drew her 22nd walk of the year. She scored one of the Bears' runs in the game as well.

Missouri State fell behind early as the Sycamores got two unearned runs in the top of the first. But the Bears would fight back in their half of the inning. Brentz doubled into the left field corner. Caitlin Chapin sent the next pitch to the right-centerfield wall for an RBI double to cut the deficit to 2-1.

In the second inning, the Bears would pull even. Stacia Boeckstiegel reached on an infield single. Pinch runner Ciara Flau moved all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lauren Eisenreich. Flau would come in to score on a squeeze bunt by Rebecca McPherson.

Indiana State pulled ahead in the top of the third. Back-to-back one out hits by the Sycamores appeared to give ISU the lead. But senior Raeven Replogle threw out the lead runner at the plate trying to score. Another Sycamore single, though, plated the go-ahead run.

Brentz walked in the third and singled in the sixth, but was stranded on base both times. McPherson doubled with one out in the seventh and was stranded on base as the game ended.

Missouri State will play the final home game of the season on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. against Arkansas. Then the Bears travel to Omaha, Neb., for a Valley series against Creighton to end the regular season on Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6. The State Farm MVC Tournament will be held in Carbondale, Ill., beginning on May 10.