SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State softball (16-32, 13-11 MVC) fell 11-0 in the series finale against Belmont (35-13, 18-6 MVC) here on Sunday afternoon in Springfield. 
 
The Bears struggled offensively in the matchup against one of the nation's best pitchers in Belmont's Maya Johnson. MoState got its first of two hits on the afternoon via a Sofia King two-out single up the middle in the second inning. The Bears' next hit came late as Aubrey Johansen knocked a pinch-hit, two-out double to right center field in the seventh inning.
 
Aside from the Bears' two hits, McKenzie Vaughan drew her fourth walk of the series and Emily Gerardy got on base courtesy of a Belmont error. Missouri State managed to put just four runners on base in the contest, striking out nine times and leaving three runners stranded on the afternoon. 
 
Meanwhile, Belmont posted 11 runs on 15 hits in the game and drew four walks. It was a one-run game through the first three innings, but the Bruins broke things open with a four-run fourth inning. Belmont then added insurance runs with two in the sixth and four runs in the top of the seventh.
 
The Bears close out the regular season next week at Drake. The key Missouri Valley Conference series against the Bulldogs will take place from May 2-4 in Des Moines, Iowa. All three games in the series are set to stream on ESPN+.