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OXFORD, Ala. – A three-run homer by Belmont (18-4) in the top of the fifth was too much for the Missouri State (10-9) softball team to overcome here Sunday as the Bears fell 3-2 to the Bruins in the finale of the Leon Smith Classic at Choccolocco Park.
 
Junior Erika Velasquez Zimmer recorded Missouri State's first hit of the day after beating out a throw to first on a bunt to third. The speedster moved over to second on a groundout and then to third on a Bethany Sullinger single to right. With runners on the corners and one out, Belmont's shortstop snagged a ball up the middle and forced an out at second. However, in an effort to turn the double play, the second baseman's throw to sailed over the first baseman's head – allowing junior Kaitlin Beason to reach first safely and Zimmer to score.
 
Starting in the circle, Beason kept the Bruins off the board until early in the fifth inning. With one out, a pair of Belmont singles put runners on first and second to bring up its eight-hole hitter. After fouling off a pitch and watching a ball, Sami Long launched a three-run home run over the left-field wall to give Belmont its first lead. 
 
Missouri State fought back in the bottom of the frame, beginning with a stand-up double to left by Elena Gambill. After back-to-back singles, the Bears found themselves with the bases loaded. Belmont hurler Brooklin Lee then brought in Missouri State's second run of the game after throwing an illegal pitch which advanced all runners, bringing Gambill home from third.
 
Holly Kelley replaced Beason in the top of the sixth and prevented the Bruins from doing further damage, but the Bears' attempt to move past Belmont in the bottom of the seventh fell short as the Bruins dropped the contest, 3-2.
 
The loss was MSU's fifth one-run defeat of the campaign. MSU finished the tournament with a 3-2 record. No all-tournament team was announced.
 
The Bears will spend spring break week with road games at Central Arkansas on Tuesday (5 p.m.) before a Thursday game at Oklahoma State (5:30 p.m.). MSU opens Missouri Valley Conference play next weekend with a three-game series against UNI Saturday and Sunday.
 
For more information on the Missouri State softball team, visit MissouriStateBears.com or follow @MSUSoftball on Twitter.