SPRINGFIELD – Visiting Illinois State scattered 12 hits and used a four-run fourth inning to turn back Missouri State, 7-2, here Saturday in the second game of a three-game MVC softball series at Killian Stadium.
 
The Bears (4-16, 1-3 MVC) tallied six hits on the day, including three from first baseman Kayla Ulrich whose two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh broke up the ISU shutout. Ulrich's first home run of the season scored Olivia Krehbiel who reached on a one-out single earlier in the seventh.
 
Redbird starter Paige McLeod (4-3) went the distance, striking out one and walking one, giving up five singles and Ulrich's home run.
 
After falling behind 3-0, the Bears had their chances in the early going. MoState loaded the bases in the bottom of the second with one out, only to have the door slammed in their face. With runners on second and third and one out, Alexis Perales' flair to right was called a catch by one umpire and a hit by another. After the crew got together, Perales was ultimately rewarded with a hit, but the two runners held up on the play, loading the bases. Two fly ball outs ensued, and the Bears remained scoreless through two.
 
MoState would strand eight runners on the day, including two more in the third, one in the fourth and two in the bottom of the fifth.
 
Meanwhile, the Redbirds (7-19, 1-1) broke things open in the fourth, chasing reliever Gracie Johnston with two-run singles by Bella Wilkerson and Kaili Chval to plate four. Shelby Houchlei came out of the bullpen to retire the side and get the Bears out of the jam with the score 7-0.
 
Houchlei went 3.2 scoreless innings in relief with a strikeout and 4 hits allowed.
 
ISU's Adisyn Hopkins was 4-for-4 on the day to lead three ISU players with multiple hits.
 
The teams will wrap their three-game Missouri Valley Conference series on Sunday afternoon at 12 Noon. Admission is free for all Missouri State home games this season.