HAMMOND, La. – Missouri State softball fell in the final two games of the Lion Classic hosted by Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Bears (0-4) played a doubleheader against Southeastern Louisiana (3-0) following rainouts on Saturday, dropping the first game 7-1 before suffering an 8-0 run-rule loss at the hands of the Lady Lions.
 
 
Game 1 – Southeastern Louisiana 7, Missouri State 1
 
The beginning of the first game saw opportunities for the Bears, as Missouri State was able to put runners on second and third with one out following a couple of walks and a passed ball. Unfortunately, a couple of strikeouts ended the threat and kept the Bears off the board in the first. Southeastern Louisiana struck first in the home half of the first courtesy of a couple of walks and a single to lead 1-0 after one.
 
Missouri State answered in the second inning to tie the game at a run apiece. Annie Mueller knocked a leadoff single to begin the inning and advanced to second on a Kenzie Derryberry sacrifice bunt. In the next at-bat, Mueller advanced to second on a wild pitch on the dropped third strike and came around to score as the Lady Lions made an attempt to get the out at first base.
 
Unfortunately, that would be all the offense the Bears could put together, as Southeastern Louisiana tacked on runs in the second and third to lead 3-1 after three innings. The Bears had a scoring opportunity in the fourth, but Kat Taylor was called out at home trying to score from second base.
 
Southeastern Louisiana extended their lead with four runs in the fifth inning on five hits, as MSU was held to just two hits over the final three innings in the game one loss.
 
Mackenzie Chacon tossed 3.2 innings against the Lady Lions, giving up two earned runs and striking out three.
 
 
Game 2 – Southeastern Louisiana 8, Missouri State 0
 
In the tournament finale, Southeastern Louisiana pounced on the Bears early, posting a four-run first inning to set the tone for the game.
 
Despite two quick outs and nobody being on base, the Lady Lions were able to put together a two-out rally, reaching on an error and following it up with two singles and two doubles to lead 4-0 after one.
 
Southeastern Louisiana tacked on their fifth run in the second with an RBI single through the right side, and then adding a couple of more in the fourth inning courtesy of a two-run homer.
 
The final run of the game came in the sixth inning as Southeastern Louisiana hit a leadoff home run to push the score to 8-0 and end the game via run-rule.
 
MSU scattered three hits offensively, while Bears pitchers gave up four earned runs and struck out three.
 
Missouri State will be back in action next week at the Mardi Gras Classic hosted by South Alabama. The Bears kick the tournament off on Friday, Feb. 17 against Rutgers at 10 a.m. before facing host South Alabama at 12:30 p.m.