RUSTON, La. – The Missouri State softball team (8-5) used timely hitting and solid defense as they shut out both Louisiana Tech and Alcorn State, Saturday evening at the Lady Techster Softball Complex. Freshman Steffany Dickerson blanked Louisiana Tech, 2-0, while senior Holly Kelley and the Bears run-ruled the Braves, 8-0, in five innings.
 
Missouri State 2, Louisiana Tech 0
Posting her second complete-game shutout of the season, Dickerson (2-1) was masterful through seven full innings against the Lady Techsters. The righty tallied four strikeouts and limited the LA Tech to just four hits in the Bears' first game of the day.
 
MSU recorded a pair of hits to start the game. Everyday leadoff hitter Erika Velasquez Zimmer notched a single back up the middle and newcomer Daphne Plummer came up with a two-out double into left center, but the Bears weren't able to capitalize with a runner in scoring position.
 
Helping her own cause in the batter's box, Dickerson led off the top of the second inning with a scorcher to the hot corner. After Sara Jones came in to run for freshman, senior Allie Alvstad was plunked by a pitch and took off for her free base. The pair of Bears moved into scoring position after Madison Hunsaker laid down a solid sacrifice bunt. MSU tried to send Jones home on a grounder to short, but she was caught at the plate and MSU stranded two to end the inning.
 
It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth until LA Tech put pressure on the Bear defense. The Lady Techsters recorded a one-out single and put two runners into scoring position after an unfortunate throwing error. With LA Tech's cleanup hitter up at the dish, Dickerson issued an intentional walk in hopes of an out at any base. In a big-time defensive effort, Dickerson induced a grounder that developed into a 1-2-3 ground double play to escape the jam.
 
LA Tech went to a new face in the circle to start the fifth inning, and replaced starting southpaw Krystal De La Cruz with junior Preslee Jensen. Finally breaking the goose egg, Darian Frost launched a two-run home run – her first of the season – in the top of the fifth after Hailee Vigneaux reached base on an error at first.
 
With one out in the bottom of the frame, LA Tech strung together back-to-back hits and both runners advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch. However, a pop up and timely strikeout got the Bears out of the tough spot and Dickerson held on for two more innings to complete the shutout.
 
Missouri State 8, Alcorn State 0 (5 innings)t
Completing its third run-rule of the season, MSU kept Alcorn State off the board through five innings. Kelley (3-1) was near-perfect, allowing just one bloop hit and four base runners in the Bears' evening finale. The Bears out-hit the Braves 9-1 and plated eight runs during the contest.
 
Totaling seven strikeouts on the night, Kelley began the game by striking out the side. Once the Bears returned to the dugout, Velasquez Zimmer began MSU's offensive efforts with a single that the Alcorn State right fielder couldn't handle. The ball got past the Brave and Velasquez Zimmer raced around to third. The next at-bat, Vigneaux scorched a single through the infield and scored Velasquez Zimmer to give MSU a 1-0 advantage.
 
Vigneaux immediately stole second and was moved over to third thanks to a ground out to second base. After two consecutive walks loaded the bases, Morgan Greenlee lifted a one-out single through the left side and scored one more Bear. Madison Jones furthered the Bears' score one out later, and brought in three more runs on an impressive triple into left field.
 
After capitalizing on a five-run first inning, MSU held the Braves off in the top of the second and put one more run up in the bottom of the frame. Velasquez Zimmer began the inning with another single and was moved over to second on a ground out. After Plummer drew a walk, the duo pulled off a double steal and advanced into scoring position. Darby Joerling earned her second RBI of the season gave the Bears a 6-0 lead on a ground out to second that allowed Velasquez Zimmer to score.
 
Both teams posted a scoreless third innings, but Missouri State put the final nail in the coffin in the bottom of the fourth when Frost recorded a one-out single through the left side. Hunsaker battled the Brave's starting pitcher Paige Taylor and earned a walk in the process. A wild pitch from Taylor moved both of the Bears into scoring position for newcomer Kelly Metter, who stepped up and launched a double down the left field line. Both Bears scored, and MSU sat comfortable with a commanding 8-0 lead.
 
The Bears held off Alcorn State for one more inning to complete the run-rule and improved to 8-5 on the season. Velasquez Zimmer and Jones led the game with two hits apiece while Jones collected three RBIs.
 
Coming Up Next
The Bears close out the Louisiana Tech Invitational tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. for a contest against Saint Louis. Live stats, updates and a live stream will be available for the game. For all the latest information on the Missouri State softball team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MSUSoftball on Twitter.