May 7, 2016 Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Junior Erin Struemph and sophomore Kaitlin Beason combined to allow just three hits and one unearned run as the Missouri State softball team (21-28, 10-13) swept a crucial doubleheader from visiting Indiana State (15-35, 8-15) at Killian Stadium on Saturday. Struemph took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and fired a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 game one win. Beason allowed a single base hit in game two, a 5-1 victory that propelled the Bears into the MVC Tournament.
Hitting was at a premium all day for both teams. Beason provided the pivotal blow in game one with a solo home run, her seventh of the year. It was one of three MSU hits in the opening game.
Junior Mary Stephens powered the game two rally capping a five-run inning with a three-run home run, also her seventh of the season.
Fellow junior Olivia Roark had three hits on the day to improve her team-best batting average in conference play to .415. She had two hits in game two and scored the decisive run in the win.
"We absolutely needed a shutout in game one and we got it from (Erin) Struemph," said head coach Holly Hesse. "I thought she was dominating from start to finish. That is a game you win with mental toughness and I thought we did that. Thanks to KB (Beason), she pushes us through and then comes back and throws a great game in game two."
Game 1 -- Missouri State 1, Indiana State 0
Roark began game two with an infield single, but the Bears were unable to get a run across.
In the second inning, Beason worked a full count and continued to foul off balls until the 10th pitch of the at-bat. She drilled that 10th pitch well over the fence in dead center field to put MSU ahead, 1-0.
Beason drew a walk to begin the fifth inning. Pinch runner Morgan Greenlee stole second. Two batters later, Hailee Vigneaux singled to center, but ISU cut down the runner at the plate.
Struemph took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. With one away, the Sycamores got the first base hit off of Struemph. Later in the inning, a two-out grounder to third was legged out at first, but Stephens pivoted and fired home to cut down the runner and keep ISU from scoring. An inning later, Struemph completed the shutout with a perfect seventh.
Game 2 -- Missouri State 5, Indiana State 1
Roark began game two the same as game one, this time singling through the right side. She was moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Madison Jones, but ISU got out of the frame before the Bears could score.
In the third inning, MSU beat the Sycamores at their own game. Erika Velasquez Zimmer reached on a one-out bunt single to begin the rally. Roark followed and slapped the ball over the third baseman for another hit. A fielding error by ISU allowed the first run to score. Erin Duewel put down a suicide squeeze and Roark slid home safely on the play. Stephens then capped the inning with a three-run home run to left putting MSU on top 5-0.
Indiana State drew a leadoff walk in the fifth. A fielder's choice and the first MSU error of the inning put two runners on base. A second MSU error allowed the first run of the day to score for the visitors, but Beason kept her cool and got out the inning without further damage. She struck out two in the final inning to complete the one-hitter.
Missouri State and Indiana State will conclude the regular season on Sunday with a single game at 12:00 p.m. at Killian Stadium. MSU will then head to Carbondale, Ill., for the MVC Softball Championship beginning on Thursday.
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