April 23, 2015 Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - In front of the fourth-largest crowd in Killian Stadium history, the Missouri State softball team (26-20) fell in its final home non-conference game to No. 15/17 Missouri (33-10) on Thursday. The 6-0 loss for the Bears marked the first time in six games that the ranked Tigers had not run-ruled its opponent.
Missouri State sent three pitchers to the circle throughout the game with the Tigers. Starter Chelsea Jones fired two innings giving up two runs, just one earned, and struck out two. Erin Struemph pitched two innings picking up a strikeout. Jessie Van Es tossed three quality innings allowing just two hits.
The Tigers put up a first inning run on two hits and a stolen base. Then in the bottom of the first, senior Rebecca McPherson singled with two outs. Chelsea Jones drew a walk, but both runners remained stranded.
Missouri tacked on an unearned run in the second and the Bears got back to work. Again with two down, senior Ali Trickey reached on an infield single. Olivia Roark followed suit with an infield single of her own, but the Bears were left empty handed for the second-straight frame.
After the Tiger hit a two-run home run in the third, Struemph shut down MU in the fourth. Chelsea Thomas reached on a two-out single in the fourth, but was stranded.
In the fifth, the Tigers again posted two runs. With a 6-0 lead, the Tigers went to the bullpen. The MU reliever plucked leadoff hitter Roark. Mary Stephens drew a walk, her team-high 27th of the season. Erika Velasquez Zimmer was hit in the helmet to load the bases. The Tigers brought back the starting pitcher. She was able to wiggle out of trouble with the help of an inning-ending double play on a bang-bang call at first.
Neither team was able to generate much offense in the final two innings.
The Bears host UNI for Senior Weekend at Killian on Saturday and Sunday to close out the home schedule for 2015. Missouri State's seniors will be honored between games of Saturday's doubleheader. MSU sits a game and a half behind Drake in the league standings and a game and a half ahead of the Panthers.
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