April 17, 2016 Box Score
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Another complete game gem by junior pitcher Erin Struemph propelled the Missouri State softball team (16-23, 5-8) to a 2-1 win and a series victory at Drake (24-16, 12-2) on Sunday afternoon.
Struemph struck out three batters in the game, including the final out with the tying run on base. It was career strikeout number 446, one shy of tying for fifth in school history. Struemph scattered just five hits in her sixth complete game effort in conference play this season.
Senior Erin Duewel had two hits on the day. She scored a run and drove in another. Redshirt junior Bethany Sullinger also contributed two hits and drove in the game-winning run. Freshman Erika Velasquez Zimmer had a hit and also scored.
"This game was just a good ol' fashion pitcher's duel," said head coach Holly Hesse. "It was fun to watch when two of the best pitchers in the league bring their best game. I thought for the second day in a row Struemph out-pitched (Nicole) Newman. We talk about on defense how important it is to get their lead off out and we did a really good job of that this weekend. We also did a really good job of getting our leadoff hitter on and it certainly was helpful in this win."
Velasquez Zimmer began the fourth inning for the Bears with an infield single. She stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Duewel doubled to left-center to drive home Velasquez Zimmer and give MSU a 1-0 advantage.
Duewel began the MSU sixth inning with an infield single. Sullinger followed with a double to left-center, scoring Duewel from first on the play.
Drake got a run back in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run to center.
Missouri State returns to Killian Stadium on Wednesday for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader against MVC foe Wichita State. Next weekend, MSU travels back to Iowa to take on UNI in a three-game series in Cedar Falls on Saturday and Sunday.
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