ARLINGTON, Texas – Missouri State softball closed out its weekend at the Boerner Invitational with an emphatic 3-1 victory over No. 23 Iowa State here Sunday morning.

It marks MSU's first win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 16 Auburn on Feb. 9, 2019 and the third straight year with a victory against a team receiving votes in the top-25 poll.  The Bears defeated Baylor 3-0 last season (Feb. 9, 2020), a club that was receiving votes at the time.

"I'm very proud of our team on how they were able to bounce back and get a terrific win over a talented top-25 team," said head coach Holly Hesse.  "Our hitters were focused and showed a lot of discipline to get us a few runs and then the pitchers took care of the rest with all four of them getting key outs for us.  It was truly an all-around team win today."
 
Missouri State (8-6) utilized four pitchers to hold the Iowa State bats in check with Madison Hunsaker (4-1) starting things off by tossing three scoreless innings.  Bailey Greenlee (2.0IP) and Gracie Johnston (1.1IP) each made relief appearances before Steffany Dickerson came on with one out in the seventh to slam the door shut and earn MSU's first save of the season.  
 
The Bears scored their first run without a hit, instead relying on their ability to read the ball out of the hands of ISU's, Saya Swain (1-1) to chase the opposing pitcher in the opening frame.  Greenlee drew the first of three walks in the inning and trekked around the base paths after three consecutive wild pitches to put MSU on the board, 1-0.
 
MSU came right back in the next inning with a leadoff walk setting things in motion once again.  After Alex Boze earned the free base and pinch-runner Ashton Thomas swiped second, Kat Taylor's one-out single to center proved to be deep enough to score the speedy Thomas and increase the Bears' lead to 2-0.
 
Hunsaker made it a three-run advantage for Missouri State after her solo home run to lead off the fourth.  The senior two-way player sent a full-count pitch over the left field fence for her first dinger of 2021.
 
The Cyclones (15-3) produced their only run of the game in the top of the fifth.  Despite a leadoff walk, Greenlee seemed to be on her way to another scoreless frame, but a two-out double from Sami Williams broke up the shutout.
 
Hunsaker and Taylor each had a hit and an RBI for an MSU lineup that drew a total of five walks, including two from Tess Weakly.
 
Up next for Missouri State is the Shocker Softball Tournament hosted by Wichita State on March 12-14.  The Bears will play games against the Shockers, North Texas and Omaha at the three-day tournament.