MOBILE, Ala. – Missouri State softball improved to 3-6 on the season with a 7-0 win against Mississippi Valley State (0-8) to close out the Mardi Gras Classic hosted by South Alabama.
 
Freshman Makenzi Swick (1-0) pitched a beauty in the circle, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out five Devilettes in the complete-game effort. The win marked the first victory of her career in her fourth appearance on the season.
 
Abby Ford, Tess Weakly and Kelsie Lewis all logged multiple hits at the plate, as Ford and Lewis each scored two runs. Meanwhile, Weakly launched a solo homer and tallied an RBI.
 
Missouri State struck first to get things rolling in the tournament finale. Alex Boze reached on an error by the MVSU shortstop to lead off the second inning, before pinch-runner Ellie McCoy entered the game and immediately swiped second and third base, and scored on a Mississippi Valley State throwing error. Two batters later, Lewis knocked a triple to right center and scored on a wild pitch to give MSU an early 2-0 lead after two.
 
The Bears struck again in the third, as Ford singled to third base and proceeded to steal second and third base. Olivia Krehbiel then picked up an RBI, scoring Ford with a single up the middle.
 
After another quiet inning for the Devilettes, Missouri State busted the game wide open with a four-run fourth inning. Weakly kicked things off with a leadoff solo homer to center field, marking her first long ball of the season. Lewis logged her second hit of the day with a single to left field, before stealing second and advancing to third on a ground out. Lewis then scored as McKayla Carney reached on a MVSU error and quickly stole second base.
 
Ford once again hit an infield single to advance Carney to third, before stealing second and forcing yet another Devilette error to allow Carney to score. With a runner on third, Kenzie Derryberry drew a walk and set up Krehbiel, who reached via error, scoring Ford to make it 7-0 in favor of the Bears.
 
The Bears and Swick allowed just one hit over the final three innings to secure their third victory of the weekend in Mobile.
 
Missouri State will head to the Michelle Short Tournament hosted by Central Arkansas next weekend (Feb. 24-26). MSU begins the tournament with a matchup against South Dakota State on Friday, Feb. 24. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT.