TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Missouri State softball (28-17, 18-4 MVC) suffered a 3-1 loss at Indiana State (25-23, 13-9 MVC) to open the weekend series. 
 
The Bears fell behind early after the Sycamores pushed across two runs in the bottom of the first via a sacrifice fly and a single through the left side. After MSU threatened with two runners on in the second and came up empty, Indiana State tacked on a third run in the bottom of the second following a Bear error and a couple of singles. 
 
An inning later, the Sycamores were threatening again with runners on second and third and just one out. However, the Bears turned to McKenzie Vaughan in the circle who came in and forced Indiana State to ground into a 6-3-2 double play to end the inning. 
 
Vaughan kept the momentum rolling as she led off the top of the fourth with a solo homer to right center field, her 12^th of the season, to pull MSU within two runs. 
 
MSU locked it down defensively, keeping the Sycamores off the board for the rest of the game. Unfortunately, the Bears stranded four runners in the fifth through seventh innings and fell 3-1 on the road.
 
Ellie McCoy and Alex Boze each had multiple hits on the day, while Vaughan collected an RBI and Tess Weakly drew two walks. In the circle, Vaughan tossed 3.2 innings in relief while allowing just two hits and striking out two Sycamores.  
 
Missouri State and Indiana State will face off in game two of the series tomorrow (April 29). First pitch will now be at 9 a.m. CT due to the weather forecast.