NORMAL, Ill. – Missouri State softball fell to 18-16 (9-3 MVC) with a 7-0 road loss at Illinois State (20-15, 10-1 MVC) here Friday night. 
 
MSU struggled to get going offensively in the series opener at Illinois State. The Bears put two runners on in each of the first two innings via a couple of singles and free passes, but were unable to produce any runs. 
 
The Redbirds then jumped on the Bears early with three consecutive hits to begin the second inning, scoring their first run on an MSU error. A few batters later with two outs and the bases loaded, another MSU error led to two more Illinois State runs to make it 3-0 after two innings. 
 
Missouri State managed just two baserunners across the third through sixth innings, with those coming courtesy of Annie Mueller and Tess Weakly singles. During that span, the Redbirds were able to extend their lead with a run in the fourth and fifth and two runs in the sixth inning to end MSU's 10-game win streak with a 7-0 loss on the road. 
 
Mueller was a bright spot in the Bear lineup, going 2-for-3 with two hard-hit singles to the outfield. McCoy and Weakly logged MSU's other hits in the game. 
 
The Bears will back in action tomorrow (April 8) for game two of the series. First pitch against the Redbirds is set for 2 p.m. CT.