RUSTON, La. – Missouri State softball (14-17, 3-8 CUSA) was on the losing end of a pitcher's duel, suffering a 2-0 loss, at Louisiana Tech (19-15, 5-6 CUSA) on Saturday afternoon.
 
Aggressive baserunning by LA Tech pushed across a run in the bottom of the first inning and it would be all the scoring the Bulldogs would need. A walk, a single and a fly out put runners on the corners for Louisiana Tech with two outs and the Bulldogs executed a double steal to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
Missouri State created some traffic on the basepaths, putting a runner on in each of the second through fourth innings, but couldn't string anything together to score a run as the Bulldogs held on to a 1-0 lead after four.
 
The Mo State defense locked in after allowing the early run, holding the Bulldogs at bay and posting zeroes on the scoreboard for three consecutive innings to keep the Bears within striking distance. Brynn Romine made a great play in the bottom of the fourth to end the frame as Louisiana Tech sent a ball to the warning track.
 
Louisiana Tech tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead 2-0. After two quick ground outs for the Bears defense, a walk, a stolen base and a throwing error allowed another run to cross the plate. Both of LA Tech's runs on the day came with two outs on the board.
 
MoState continued to battle and saw its best scoring opportunity in the sixth inning. With one out, Romine singled to right center field and Halle Studer walked to put two Bears on base. Unfortunately, the timely hit escaped the Bears as a strikeout and pop up ended the inning and the Mo State threat.
 
The Bears managed a baserunner in the seventh via a walk, but Louisiana Tech's Laney Johnson (5-2) forced two pop ups to finish off the complete game shutout of the Bears.
 
Despite taking the loss in the circle, Emily Koranda (7-8) tossed a great game. The freshman right-hander allowed just one earned run on four hits in 6.0 innings while striking out three Bulldogs. The Bears once again put the ball in play a lot, striking out just twice on the afternoon, but stranded five on base during the game.
 
Missouri State and Louisiana Tech will close out the series tomorrow (March 29). First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.