April 9, 2016 Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Junior Olivia Roark hit a walk-off infield single in game one, her third of five hits on the day, as the Missouri State softball team (14-20, 3-6) split the conference doubleheader against visiting Southern Illinois (22-12, 6-4) at Killian Stadium on Saturday. The walk-off win was the perfect segue into the on-field Legacy Weekend celebration of the 1996 and 2006 championship teams.
The Bears' first three hitters in the lineup combined for 14 hits on the day and the cleanup hitter drew three walks and was hit by a pitch three times. In addition to Roark's five hits, Erika Velasquez Zimmer added five hits of her own, scoring three times on the day. Senior Erin Duewel added four hits and drove in four runs. Kaitlin Beason was plunked three times in game one and drew three walks over the course of the twin bill.
Duewel continued to climb the MSU records list with her 20th career home run. She is now tied for second in school history. She improved her career slugging percentage to .494, second-best in school history.
"I just love the passion, the joy and the excitement that we played the game with today," said head coach Holly Hesse. "That energy certainly propelled us to the win in first game and we really out-played them outside of the first inning in game two. (Erin) Duewel is just having a great senior year and has been a real leader in terms of performance this year."
Junior pitcher Erin Struemph earned the win in relief in game one. She struck out eight on the day to move closer to fifth in school history in career strikeouts. Beason started game one and pitched 5.1 innings with two strikeouts.
Missouri State celebrated Legacy Weekend with an on-field ceremony for returning members of the 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2006 MVC Tournament winning teams between games. Nearly 30 former players returned to take part in the celebration.
"It was a great sight to see," continued Hesse, "to come back and celebrate those championship years. It's a great visual for the legacy that they left. I felt like our players were inspired by that today."
Game 1 -- Missouri State 7, Southern Illinois 6
SIU scored twice in the first inning of game one, but MSU starter Beason stranded two on base to limit the damage.
Mary Stephens led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run to left-center. It was her third home run of the year.
Missouri State got the momentum revved up in the fifth. With one away, Velasquez Zimmer singled to center. Duewel followed and belted a two-run homer to center. It was Duewel's team-leading seventh of the year, all seven of which have been hit with at least one runner on base. Beason walked to continue the inning and a defensive error allowed MSU to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Stephens came through with a single to left to push home another run. Elena Gambill followed and put down a squeeze bunt. Pinch runner Morgan Greenlee slid around the tag at the plate to score the run on the play.
The lead was short-lived though as SIU put a four-spot of its own on the board in the top of the sixth.
The Bears responded in the bottom of the frame. Roark began the rally with a bunt single. Velasquez Zimmer also reached on a bunt single. Duewel followed and singled up the middle to drive in the tying run, but SIU got out the jam without relinquishing the lead in the inning.
Struemph got into and worked out of a major jam in the seventh. She walked the bases loaded, but struck out the side to keep the game tied.
In the bottom of the seventh, Gambill singled to center to begin the frame. Hailee Vigneaux reached on a bunt single and both runners moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Madison Jones. That brought Roark to the plate and with a 2-1 count, she singled to short for the walk-off win.
Game 2 -- Missouri State 3, Southern Illinois 6
Southern Illinois batted around in the top of the first and put five runs on the board. A two-out grand slam was the culprit for much of the damage in the SIU rally.
In the MSU second inning, the Bears got on the board. Beason lead off with a walk and Darian Frost doubled to right-center to put two runners in scoring position. A ground out by Stephens drove in the only run of the inning.
After SIU added a run in the fifth, Velasquez Zimmer doubled to right-center to begin the sixth. A sharp ground ball up the middle by Duewel scored Velasquez Zimmer without a throw.
MSU wasn't done battling. In the seventh, Gambill began the frame with a walk, the fourth time in the game the Bears drew a walk to begin an inning. With two away, Roark singled to center, her fifth hit of the day. Velasquez Zimmer singled up the middle to drive in a run. A walk to Duewel loaded the bases and brought the winning run to the plate. SIU went to the bullpen and the reliever induced a pop up to end the threat and the game.
The Bears and Salukis will play the rubber game on Sunday beginning at noon. MSU will hold a free youth clinic after the game. The five-game Missouri State home stand will conclude on Wednesday with a 5:00 p.m. tilt against Tulsa.
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