Feb. 22, 2015 Box Score
LAFAYETTE, La. - The Missouri State softball team (8-7) scored in four of six innings and got solid pitching to down Iowa (3-10) for the second-straight game, 6-2, in the Bears' finale at the Ragin' Cajuns Invitational on Sunday.
"It is good to see us put up six runs," said head coach Holly Hesse, "and that means we have several people contributing. It is exciting that they are all pitching quality innings. No matter who we put in the circle they are doing a quality job."
Freshman Chelsea Thomas had two hits including her league-lead tying sixth home run of the season. Thomas also drew a walk in the game.
Senior Rebecca McPherson also had two hits and a walk. She scored a run as well. Redshirt freshman Madison Jones was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI.
Jessie Van Es got the start for MSU. She tossed three innings and gave up the two runs against while striking out one. Erin Struemph entered in relief and pitched the final four frame for the win. Struemph struck out five and allowed just two hits.
Iowa hit a leadoff home run in the second inning to take a brief lead. The Bears responded in the bottom of the inning initiated by a Hawkeye error. Madison Jones singled to center and both runner moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Two batters later, Ali Trickey singled through the right side on a two-strike, two-out pitch to push home both runners and give the Bears a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the third, Rebecca McPherson singled to left to begin the inning. Chelsea Thomas followed with an infield single and both runners were advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Chelsea Jones. Kaitlin Beason scorched a one-hopper to third and the runner came home to score.
The Hawkeyes again hit a leadoff home in the fourth to close the Bears' advantage to 3-2.
Chelsea Thomas began the fifth inning with her sixth blast of the season. She drilled a 1-1 pitch half way up the left field bleachers. The inning continued with Chelsea Jones drawing a walk. After advancing to second on a ground out, she scored on a single up the middle by Madison Jones to push the MSU lead to 5-2.
The Bears continued to build on their lead in the sixth. Mary Stephens drew her career-best third walk of the game with one away. McPherson singled to right and Thomas walked to load the bases. Chelsea Jones flew out to left, but it was deep enough for Stephens to come home on the play.
Chelsea Jones was named to the All-Tournament team after she hit a team-high .400 over the weekend with two runs scored and a RBI. She was 1-1 in the circle with a 2.69 ERA in two outings and struck out eight batters.
Missouri State returns to Springfield for the home opener on Saturday, February 28 as the Bears host the Rally for Allie Leukemia Awareness Tournament at Killian Stadium. The tournament starts at 10:00 a.m. with four games on Saturday and four more on Sunday.
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