April 12, 2015 Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Another big first inning powered the Missouri State softball team (23-17, 11-4) to its seventh-straight victory and a second-straight MVC series sweep with a 8-5 victory over Loyola (12-25, 2-12) at Killian Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
"I really like our approach to the game right now and it all starts in the eight-foot circle," said head coach Holly Hesse. "Another perfect outing on defense for the Bears. It was certainly good to see our offense answer after we gave up two runs early."
Senior Chelsea Jones, junior Erin Duewel and freshman Erika Velasquez Zimmer had two hits apiece for the Bears in the series finale. Duewel had three RBI and scored twice. Velasquez Zimmer also drew a pair of walks and scored two runs.
Starting pitcher Erin Struemph notched a pair of strikeouts in the first, but Loyola jumped in front on a two-run home run. She recorded four strikeouts on the day.
Velasquez Zimmer singled to right to begin the bottom of the first. Senior Rebecca McPherson drilled her seventh home run of the season to left field to knot the game at 2-2. Chelsea Jones then singled sharply off the second baseman's glove. A Loyola fielding error allowed a second runner aboard for Duewel. She cranked the first pitch deep to right for a three-run shot and her second home run of the weekend.
Duewel began the Bears' fourth inning with a single to right-center. Two batters later, she moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Olivia Roark. Mary Stephens then lined a single down the left field line to score Duewel and extend the lead to 6-2.
MSU's fifth inning started with Velasquez Zimmer shooting a single down the right field line. She stole second and moved to third on Chelsea Jones infield single. Senior Ali Trickey pinch ran at first and promptly stole second. Elena Gambill flew deep to center for a sacrifice fly to score the first run of the frame. After Hailee Vigneaux walked, Duewel grounded to second and the Loyola fielder bobbled the ball allowing Trickey to score from second.
Loyola put together a seventh inning rally with three consecutive hits to load the bases. A walk and two groundouts pushed home three runs, but MSU pitcher Chelsea Jones closed the door on the 8-5 win.
Missouri State heads out on a five-game Valley road swing beginning with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader at Wichita State on Wednesday (April 15). MSU will then travel to Illinois State for a three-game series next weekend. The Bears return to Killian Stadium on April 22 with a 5:00 p.m. game against Wichita State to begin the final home stand of the season.
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