Storylines for the Tulsa Game
- Missouri State softball opened Missouri Valley Conference action last week, going 3-2 with a couple of losses at first-place Southern Illinois before bouncing back with a sweep of Drake. MSU's series against Drake marked the beginning of a seven-game home stand for the Bears that will wrap up this week as they face Tulsa in a midweek matchup before welcoming Evansville to Springfield this weekend.
- McKenzie Vaughan (So., Bella Vista, Ark.) led the Bears with a .600 (3-for-5) batting average, seven RBI, three home runs, a 2.400 slugging percentage and an .800 on-base percentage last week. She also drew four walks, was hit by a pitch, did not strike out and committed no errors in the field.
- Gracie Johnston (Sr., Augusta, Kan.) is MSU's leader in the circle this season with a 3.58 ERA on the year and a 6-5 record in 13 appearances. Johnston tossed two gems against Drake last weekend, allowing just three hits, zero earned runs and striking out 10 in two combined games versus the Bulldogs.
- The Bears continue to show off their speed as they rank 29th nationally and first in the MVC with 53 stolen bases, led by freshman Abby Ford who owns a league-leading 17 stolen bases. Her 17 swipes also rank 20th nationally.
- MSU entered the weekend series against Drake having scored 61 total runs on the season. Against the Bulldogs, the Bear bats caught fire as MSU totaled 24 runs in a total of 14 innings batted across the three-game series. The Bears are now hitting .222 as a team and are led by Olivia Krehbiel (Sr., Lee's Summit, Mo.) with a .328 average, 22 hits, seven doubles, three triples, 15 RBI and 11 walks.
Series History
Missouri State leads the all-time series against Tulsa, 26-23, including an 11-10 advantage in Springfield. MSU has won the last two games in the series with a 7-6 road win against the Golden Hurricane on March 13, 2018 and then earning a 3-2 win in the last meeting between the teams on April 10, 2019 at Killian Stadium. Â
Â