April 5, 2015 Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - All nine Missouri State starters recorded at least one hit as the Missouri State softball team (20-17, 8-4) completed the series sweep of visiting Evansville (7-30, 1-11) at Killian Stadium on Sunday afternoon with a 7-3 victory.
"We talk a lot about everybody needing to step up," said head coach Holly Hesse, "especially when we have some of our normal starters out of the lineup. So for other people to step up and step in to make contributions is huge. Good job by our pitching staff, for sure, it is difficult to pull off a sweep in this league."
Freshmen Erika Velasquez Zimmer and Hailee Vigneaux had two hits apiece in the game. Both also scored a run. Fellow freshman Chelsea Thomas went 1-for-2 with a walk and scored twice.
Seniors Chelsea Jones and Rebecca McPherson each scored a run and recorded a hit. Jones drove in two runs as well.
The Bears jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Vigneaux singled off the third baseman's glove with one away. McPherson followed with a single to center. Chelsea Jones doubled to left-center to plate both runners. Thomas drew a walk to continue the rally, putting runners on the corners. Elena Gambill singled through the left side to score the third run of the inning. Braxton Coil drove in the fourth run with a single to left as the Bears batted around in the first.
Velasquez Zimmer reached on a bunt single to begin the second. After she stole second, Vigneaux moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt. McPherson drew a walk and a double steal pushed the Bears' lead to 5-0. Chelsea Jones drew a walk to continue the inning, but UE would hold the rally to just the one run.
After the Purple Aces got on the board in the top of the third, the Bears quickly got the run back. Freshman Kaitlin Beason drilled the second pitch of the third inning into the teeth of the wind to straight away center field for her third home run of the season.
Thomas led off the fifth with a double to left-center. Two batters later, Beason drew a walk. Olivia Roark put down a beautiful bunt that got past the drawn in right side of the infield and Thomas scored all the way from second. On the next play, Beason attempted to score as the ball got past the catcher, but was tagged out on a violent head-to-head collision at the plate to end the inning.
Evansville put single tallies on the board in the sixth and again in the seventh inning after a 43 minute rain delay.
Missouri State will wrap up its current eight-game home stand as Loyola makes its first-ever trip to Springfield next weekend. Saturday's game against the Ramblers has been designated Legacy Day as the Bears will recognize all of the female coaches in the softball program's history. It will also be Rally for Allie weekend as the Bears continue to raise leukemia awareness and support for Allie Alvstad's journey. Fans will be admitted free to the games on April 11-12 and are encouraged to wear orange.
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