EL PASO, Texas – Missouri State softball (20-26, 8-15 CUSA) clinched the series against UTEP (11-34, 3-20 CUSA) with an 8-0 run-rule victory on Saturday afternoon in El Paso. With the win, the Bears have already matched their season win total from a year ago.
 
The Bears brought the energy early and made a statement in the first inning. Mo State posted five runs to kick off the game as Halle Studer got the offense started with a one-out single to left field and immediately swiped second base. Kayla Ulrich took advantage of the runner in scoring position, sending a single to right field to drive in Studer to put the Bears on the board first. After a walk to put two on base, Alexis Perales put together a tremendous at-bat, sending a three-run homer over the wall in left on the 12^th pitch of the at-bat. Mo State wasn't done yet as Elizabeth Bobbitt launched a solo home run off the wall two batter later, her second of the season, to give the Bears a 5-0 advantage.
 
Mo State's defense was impressive on the day as well, getting out of a jam in the bottom of the second. With bases loaded and just one out, the Bear defense turned its 21^st double play of the season after Ulrich fielded a ground ball, tagged third and threw across to first base to end the inning.
 
Missouri State added another run in the third inning after Ulrich led off the frame with a single to center field. Following a sacrifice bunt a ground out, Mya January sent an RBI single through the right side to extend the lead to 6-0.
 
UTEP threatened again in the bottom of the third as the Miners put runners on the corners with two outs on the board. Then, Perlaes gunned down the runner trying to steal to second base, paired with a great catch and tag from Studer, as the Bears once again ended an inning with no damage done.
 
Mo State sent the game into run-rule territory atter posting two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Ulrich drew a walk to lead off the frame and two batters later, Perales kept swinging a hot bat as he sent a double to right center field to put two in scoring position. January picked up her second RBI of the afternoon with a single to left center to score Emily Evans, and later Perales came home to score on a wild pitch to push the Bears' lead to 8-0.
 
Brylee Brewster and the Mo State defense retired the Miners in order to end the game in five innings to secure the series victory.
 
Ulrich, Perales and January led the way for Mo State's offense with two hits each, while Perales and January drove in three and two runs, respectively. Makenzi Swick (4-4) got the win in the circle, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings as she scattered three hits and struck out one. Brewster hurled 2.0 hitless relief innings.
 
The Bears and Miners will close out the series tomorrow morning (April 26). The new game time is at 10:00 a.m. CT due to forecasted winds later in the day. The game will stream on ESPN+.