CARBONDALE, Ill. – Missouri State softball improved to 22-15 (15-4 MVC) with a 1-0 victory at Southern Illinois (22-18-1, 11-10 MVC) to secure its 10^th consecutive conference series win.
 
With the series victory, the Bears have now won 14 of their last 15 multi-game Missouri Valley Conference series.
 
The first three innings were quiet for both squads as the starting pitchers were locked in yet another pitching duel between the Bears and Salukis.
 
Madison Hunsaker led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field, her third of the year, to give the Bears the only run they would need in the victory.
 
From there, Steffany Dickerson and the Bear defense held the Salukis at bay, allowing just two SIU hits on the day.
 
In the circle, Dickerson pitched the complete game shutout, facing just two batters over the minimum while striking out eight Salukis. She improved to 17-6 on the season and lowered her overall ERA to 1.79 and her conference ERA to 0.88.
 
Missouri State will be back in Springfield as they host Bradley on Senior Weekend. The three-game series begins on Saturday, April 30 with first pitch of the doubleheader set for 12 p.m.