Feb. 17, 2013

Box Score

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Missouri State softball team (4-6) snapped a four-game losing streak to UTSA (4-4) with a convincing 10-2 five inning win in the UTSA Classic finale on Sunday. The Bears put up a season-high 10 runs in the victory.

"Cutter is our spark at the plate and when she has a good day, it seems like the rest of the team has a good day," said head coach Holly Hesse after the win. "She (Jones) threw a lot of quality innings for us this weekend. Being the fifth game she appeared in this weekend and come out and give up just two runs, that's just being a warrior."

Lauren Eisenreich had a pair of RBI doubles in the win. Rebecca McPherson had a three-run pinch hit home run, while Ali Trickey and Kerri Cunningham each had two-RBI infield singles.

Chelsea Jones appeared in her fifth game of the weekend and allowed just two runs. It marks her fourth consecutive start she has netted the win for MSU.

The Bears broke through first in the tournament finale against UTSA. In the second inning, Heather Duckworth drew a one-out walk. She advanced to second on a wild pitch. Eisenreich stepped in and drove the ball over the left fielder's head for an RBI.

After UTSA tied the game in the 3rd, MSU got back to work. Kirstin Cutter started the inning with an infield single to short. Ashley Brentz followed and blooped the ball over the pitcher's head on the infield. The ball had enough spin to get away from the second baseman and Brentz reached. Two batters later, however, UTSA turned an inning-ending double play to keep MSU at bay.

The Missouri State offense erupted the bottom of the fourth. Stevie Pierce drew a walk. Back-to-back fielder's choice plays and a UTSA error gave the Bears first and second with one out. Eisenreich again doubled to left-center, driving in Duckworth for the second time in the game. Kerri Cunningham stepped in and reached on an infield single, driving in both runners on the play. Cutter drew a walk and the Bears sent pinch hitter McPherson to the plate with two away. McPherson flew deep to center, clearing the fence for her first home run of the season.

The Bears continued to pour it on in the fifth. Duckworth singled to right and Boeckstiegel single to left to begin the inning. Eisenreich moved the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Cutter grounded sharply to short, but the ball was booted resulting in the first MSU run of the inning. The Bears sent Trickey up to pinch hit and she slapped an infield single past the pitcher for two RBI and a walk-off win.

Missouri State will travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., next weekend for five games at the Frost Classic. MSU will play Boston College and Lipscomb on Friday, Toledo and Tennessee Tech on Saturday and host Chattanooga on Sunday. The Bears open the home slate against Wright State on Thursday, February 28 with a 4:00 p.m. first pitch at Killian Stadium.