Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. – Strong offense in both the second and fourth innings aided the Missouri State softball team (11-9) in its 6-2 victory over Central Arkansas at Farris Field, Tuesday evening.
 
On one out in the top of the second, the Bears put up two early runs off four hits and one error. Batting fifth in the lineup, sophomore Darian Frost led off the inning with a single into right field. Shortly after, a single and a sacrifice fly put runners on the corners for the Bears. Bringing in Missouri State's first run, junior Holly Kelley snuck a single through the left side to score pinch runner Morgan Greenlee. The following at-bat, a Central Arkansas fielding error juiced the bases for junior Erika Velasquez Zimmer, who poked a ball over the defending shortstop to score Missouri State's second run of the game.
 
After falling behind 2-0, the Central Arkansas Bears battled back after two walks and a single loaded the bases. With two outs in the bottom of the second, UCA's Briana Whisenhunt hit an RBI single to second base to cut Missouri State's lead, 2-1. The following inning, Central Arkansas evened the score at two runs apiece after an RBI single up the middle brought in another UCA Bear.
 
MSU's largest offensive surge came in the top of the fourth, where Elena Gambill led off the inning with a stand-up double down the left field line. The next at-bat, Kelley swapped places with the senior, giving Missouri State a 3-2 lead. With no outs, a bunt to third followed by a stolen base placed two Bears in prime position to up Missouri State's score. Back-to-back RBI ground outs from Velasquez Zimmer and Hailee Vigneaux put the game further out of reach, giving the Bears a 5-2 advantage.
 
Putting two runners on with one out in the bottom of the fifth, UCA put pressure on Kelley – Missouri State's starting pitcher – forcing the Bears in maroon to make a pitching change. Junior Kaitlin Beason stepped in to relieve Kelley in the bottom of the fifth, pitching out of a bases-loaded jam to end the inning.
 
Missouri State scored once more during the seventh inning, when Vigneaux drew a leadoff walk to start top of the frame. The junior made her way around to third base thanks to two consecutive ground outs, and was driven in on the next at-bat off a Frost, RBI single up the middle – giving the Bears a solid 6-2 lead.
 
Loading the bases for the third time, Central Arkansas put pressure on the Missouri State defense once again in the bottom of the seventh. With one out already in the books, UCA's Audrey Pratt lined into a double play at second base, ending the Bears' attempted comeback.
 
For Missouri State, two Bears – Frost and Kelley – recorded multiple hits while Kelley and Velasquez Zimmer each picked up two RBI. Extending her hitting streak to now 11 games, Velasquez Zimmer finished the contest with one hit, two RBI and one putout.
 
In the circle, Kelley secured her fourth win of the season after tossing 4.1 innings. Relieving Kelley of her duties in the bottom of the fifth, Beason picked up her second save on the year, notching one strikeout in her 2.2 innings of work. The pair combined for three strikeouts, holding Central Arkansas to just two runs.
 
Coming Up Next
The final game before opening up Missouri Valley Conference play, the Bears head to Stillwater, Okla., for a Thursday matchup against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls. First pitch is slated for 5:30 p.m. at Cowgirl Stadium. For more information on the Missouri State softball team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MSUSoftball on Twitter.