March 15, 2015 Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Missouri State softball team (11-12, 0-1) got off to an inauspicious start to conference play with a 9-0 setback in six innings to visiting Drake (10-10, 1-0) in the MVC opener on Sunday at Killian Stadium. In what has been a historically close series, the Bears suffered just the third run-rule loss to the Bulldogs in 92 all-time meetings between the teams.
Freshman Erika Velasquez Zimmer provided two of the Bears' three hits in the game. Braxton Coil had the other MSU hit.
A leadoff home run put the Bears in a early hole. The Bulldogs added a pair of unearned runs to pull ahead 3-0 before the Bears even hit.
Velasquez Zimmer reached on an infield hit in the bottom of the first and stole second base, but she remained there as the inning ended.
Drake added single tallies in the third inning and again in the fourth on an unearned run.
Coil led off the Bears' third with a solid hit to left. Pinch runner Olivia Roark was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Erin Duewel, but the Bears again were left empty-handed.
Drake broke open the game in the sixth inning by posting four runs all after two outs were recorded.
Velasquez Zimmer tried to extend the game with a two-out single up the middle, but a fly out ended the inning and the game.
The Bears and Bulldogs will wrap up the series with a doubleheader at Killian Stadium beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Monday. MSU will conclude the current seven-game home stand with a 5:00 p.m. tilt versus Missouri on Wednesday.
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