TEMPE, Ariz. – Missouri State softball (1-4) picked up its first win of the season with an upset victory over No. 21 Arizona State (3-2) on the final day of the Kajikawa Classic.
 
The win marks the second consecutive season that the Bears have defeated a top 25 opponent.
 
Fifth-year senior Steffany Dickerson was the star of the day for the Bears, as she pitched a gem in the circle, allowing just one hit in the five-inning complete game shutout of the Sun Devils. At the plate, Dickerson also collected a hit and two RBI to help lead Missouri State to victory in Tempe.
 
Sophomore Ellie McCoy picked up her first hit of the season with a double that scored a run to put Missouri State on the board first against Arizona State. Daphne Plummer continued her hot streak at the plate, knocking a triple against the Sun Devils to extend her hitting streak to 18 games, which dates back to last season.
 
The Bears jumped out to an early lead, putting their first run of the game on the board in the second inning. After Tess Weakly and Madison Hunsaker singles and an Alex Boze hit by pitch, McCoy doubled to left field to pick up an RBI.
 
Plummer led off the Bear half of the third inning with a triple and took advantage of a Sun Devil wild pitch to put MSU on top 2-0.
 
Following a scoreless fourth inning, the Bears returned to the scoreboard in the fifth. Plummer reached base on an error by the ASU first baseman, which Payton Minnis and Dickerson followed up with back-to-back singles. Both Plummer and Minnis were able to score on the Dickerson base knock after an error by Arizona State's center fielder.
 
Dickerson and the Bear defense were able to put together a dominant performance against the No. 21 team in the country in Arizona State. Dickerson pitched all five innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five Sun Devils. Arizona State's single in the first inning was the only baserunner the Bears allowed on the afternoon.
 
The game was final after five innings due to travel and time restrictions.
 
Missouri State softball returns to action at the at the Texas A&M Invitational running from Friday, Feb. 18 through Sunday, Feb. 20. The Bears face Pitt to open the tournament at 9 a.m. on Friday morning.