March 29, 2015 Box Score
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Redshirt sophomore Mary Stephens was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate and her two-run home run in the sixth proved to be the difference as the Missouri State softball team (16-16, 5-4) gritted out a 9-8 win at Indiana State (10-18, 4-5) on Sunday. It was the seventh-consecutive series win for the Bears in Terre Haute.
"A tough day weather-wise and both teams battled hard despite the conditions," said head coach Holly Hesse. "I am just really proud of the Bears just kept fighting. We are concerned about Madison's (Jones) injury, it shows how hard she plays the game."
Redshirt freshman Madison Jones went 3-for-3 in the game. She had a double and a triple to finish a home run shy of the cycle. She drove in a run and scored three times for MSU.
Stephens began the game with a down that dropped just fair inside the left field line. She moved to third on Erika Velasquez Zimmer's sacrifice bunt. With two away in the inning, Chelsea Jones singled to center field to give MSU the early advantage.
Erin Duewel started the Bears' second inning with a leadoff walk. She moved to second as Madison Jones reached on an infield single. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Elena Gambill. Braxton Coil followed with a RBI single to the right side. Stephens hit a single to left field to add another run and give MSU a 3-0 lead.
Indiana State sent 10 hitters to the plate in the bottom of the third and scored five runs to take a 5-3 lead.
In the top of the fourth, Madison Jones doubled to left-center with one out. She moved third on a wild pitch. Coil walked and was replaced at first by pinch runner Olivia Roark. A double steal saw Jones cross the plate and Roark advance to third after a collision at the plate jarred the ball away. Stephens singled through the right side to push home the tying run.
The Sycamores regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth with two runs.
The sixth inning started with Duewel reaching on an ISU error. Madison Jones tripled down the right field line to score Duewel. Two batters later, Coil grounded to short and Jones beat the throw home to tie the game, however, Jones would be injured on the play. After a 22-minute delay, Stephens blasted a two-run home run to center field to give MSU a 9-7 lead.
ISU added a run in the bottom of the sixth, but relief pitcher Chelsea Jones stranded two aboard to preserve a 9-8 lead. She tossed a 1-2-3 seventh inning as the Bears closed the series with a win.
The Bears return home on Tuesday for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader versus SEMO at Killian Stadium to begin a nine-game home stand. MSU will host Evansville on April 3-4 and Central Arkansas on April 6. The home stand concludes with Legacy Day and Rally for Allie weekend against Loyola on April 11-12.
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