NEWARK, Del. – Missouri State softball (14-15, 3-6 CUSA) fell 5-2 in the rubber match on the road at Delaware (14-17, 4-5 CUSA) on Sunday afternoon.
 
A bases-clearing double for the Blue Hens turned out to be the game-winning hit in this one as Delaware grabbed the early lead. After a scoreless first inning, Delaware used a double, a single and a walk to load the bases with no outs in the second inning. Then UD's Bridget Chapman knocked a three-RBI double down the left field line to give the Blue Hens all the runs they would need on the afternoon.
 
Delaware increased its lead in the third inning as UD's Sydney Shaffer launched a one-out, two-run homer over the wall in center field to stretch the lead to 5-0.
 
After having just three baserunners through the first five innings, Missouri State's offense finally broke through in the sixth. Emily Chadwick drew a leadoff walk and Emily Evans was hit by a pitch with one out on the board to put two runners on for the Bears. Lauren Rowland came up to the plate and sent a single to left field to load the bases for Mo State with just one out to set up a great scoring opportunity. A wild pitch that bounced off the plate allowed all of the runners to move up a base and Chadwick scored to get Missouri State on the board. With two runners in scoring position, Kayla Ulrich hit an RBI ground out to shortstop, scoring Evans to cut the Delaware lead to 5-2.
 
Missouri State's defense did its job to keep the Blue Hens off the board in the sixth, but the Bears couldn't extend the game in the top of the seventh as they went down in order to end the game.
 
Rowland and Emily Gerardy accounted for Mo State's two hits on the afternoon, while the Bears drew four total free passes and left four on base in the ballgame. Mo State used a trio of pitchers in the circle with Makenzi Swick taking the loss in the matchup after surrendering the three-run double. Paityn Engemann tossed 3.0 innings of relief, allowing three hits and two earned runs, while Brylee Brewster finished the game in the circle, hurling 2.0 scoreless innings.
 
Missouri State is back on the road next week for another Conference USA series at Louisiana Tech (March 27-29). All games are slated to stream on ESPN+.