EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Missouri State softball (1-19) suffered a 9-5 road loss at SIU Edwardsville (11-9) on Tuesday evening. 
 
The Bears looked to be in control early in the matchup, jumping on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the first inning. McKenzie Vaughan drew a walk to lead off the game before eventually making her way to third base via two wild pitches. Sidney McLaughlin was hit by a pitch and stole second base to give MoState two runners on with just one out. Then, Halle Studer delivered an RBI single to left center field to give the Bears an early 1-0 lead. Missouri State couldn't extend the inning as McLaughlin was thrown out trying to score on the Studer single, before a fly out ended the frame.
 
In the circle, Vaughan allowed just two hits and a walk across the first three innings as the Bears held on to a 1-0 lead with three innings in the books. 
 
As the top of the fourth inning rolled around, the Bears found more offensive success. Emily Gerardy worked a walk to lead off the fourth, which Lauren Rowland immediately followed with a bunt single to put two runners on with no outs. Following a strikeout, Vaughan strolled to the plate and helped her own cause, launching a three-run homer to left center field to push the MoState lead to 4-0. 
 
Unfortunately for the Bears, the bottom of the fourth saw their lead unravel. The Cougars offense came alive, posting seven runs via six hits, an error and a free pass to flip the momentum and the lead to 7-4. 
The next six MoState batters were retired in order as SIUE added two insurance runs in the sixth inning with a couple of singles and a walk. 
 
Missouri State had one final chance to extend the game in the top of the seventh. Elle Nelsen and McLaughlin got things going for MoState with a single and double, putting two runners in scoring position with no outs as the Bears attempted to come back from being down 9-4. Aubrey Johansen sent a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Brynn Romine after her re-entry. The next two batters went down in order as the Bears suffered a 9-5 loss on the road. 
 
Vaughan led the way with two hits and three RBI on the night, including a double, a home run and a walk. Freshmen Studer and Johansen also drove in a run apiece, while five different Bears had a hit in the game. Missouri State left three runners stranded on the evening.
 
The Bears return to Springfield for their home opener in addition to kicking off Missouri Valley Conference action. Missouri State will host UIC for a three-game series beginning on Thursday, March 13. First pitch at Meador Park is set 3:00 p.m. The rest of the series is set for Friday at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday at 11:00 a.m.