SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State softball (18-24, 6-14 CUSA) dropped the series against Jacksonville State (34-12, 18-2 CUSA) with a 25-2 loss in five innings on Saturday afternoon in Springfield.
 
The ball was leaving the yard early at Killian Stadium as Jax State grabbed an early 5-0 lead in the top of the first after a grand slam and solo homer. In the bottom half of the first, Mo State answered with a long ball of its own as Lauren Rowland sent a two-run shot over the wall in left field, but that swing would account for the Bears' only runs of the afternoon.
 
From there, it was all Jacksonville State in this one. The Gamecocks posted at least five runs in four of the five innings on the day, scoring 25 runs on 22 hits and drawing nine total free passes. Meanwhile, the Mo State offense couldn't find a rhythm as the Bears had just five base runners across the final four innings. The Bears tallied three hits on the day, drew five walks and left six on base.
 
Rowland led the way on the day with her two RBI and a walk.
 
Missouri State and Jacksonville State will close out the series tomorrow (April 19) at Killian Stadium. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+. The game will also serve as Missouri State's CUSA Mental Health Awareness green game.