ATHENS, Ga. – Missouri State softball (2-3) won its second consecutive game with an 8-0 run-rule victory over Fordham (1-4) to close out the Red and Black Showcase.
 
The Bears wasted no time getting on the board in their tournament finale, posting three runs in the top of the first inning. MoState did all its damage in the first inning with two outs on the board. With a runner on base, Lauren Rowland knocked her second home run in as many days, this time a two-run shot to left field. Aubrey Johansen then sent a double to right center field and came across to score one batter later on a Fordham fielding error.
 
Missouri State added two more runs in the top of the third inning. With a couple of runners on base via singles, Mya January sent a two-out, RBI single up the middle and in the next at-bat, Emily Chadwick scored on a Fordham throwing error to make it 5-0 in favor of the Bears after three.
 
The Bears offense kept rolling right into the fourth inning, as Kayla Ulrich got the frame started with a one-out solo homer to left field, her first long ball of the year. Following a Rowland walk and stolen base and a Brynn Romine single, MoState had runners on the corners with two outs. Senior Sidney McLauglin came on to pinch hit and delivered a two-RBI single to left field to put the game in run-rule territory as the Bears led 8-0 with four innings complete.
 
Emily Koranda and Co. shut the door and forced a three-up, three-down inning for the Rams to end the game early by a score of 8-0 in five innings.
 
Koranda earned her first career victory in the circle with a complete game shutout. The freshman right-hander allowed just two hits and struck out five Rams in the win.
 
Offensively, Romine tallied a two-hit game while Rowland and McLaughlin each drove in two runs. The Bears drew four walks and struck out just once on the morning.
 
Missouri State will head to the Lion Invitational hosted by East Texas A&M next weekend in Commerce, Texas (Feb. 13-15).