SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State softball (21-27, 9-16 CUSA) opened the series against New Mexico State (25-24, 15-10 CUSA) with a 4-0 win at Killian Stadium on Thursday night.
Mo State was led by its freshman right-hander
Emily Koranda in the circle, who tossed a complete game shutout to earn her 12
th win of the season. She scattered three hits and struck out four Aggies to bring her season total to 99 strikeouts.
One inning accounted for all of the scoring in this one as Missouri State broke things open with a four-run fifth inning. Senior
Sidney McLaughlin kickstarted the inning with a single up the middle, before
Emily Gerardy reached on an error to put runners on the corners. After a Gerardy stolen base to put two in scoring position with no outs,
Sofia King delivered an RBI single to left field to break the scoreless tie. During the next at-bat, the Aggies made another throwing error as they tried to pick off Gerardy, allowing her to score. Two batter later,
Mya January delivered the big blow, sending a two-run homer over the wall in center field to give the Bears a 4-0 advantage.
Koranda tossed a gem, while the defense behind her made some great plays to help keep New Mexico State off the board. With a runner on in the second, Mo State turned a 3-6-4 double play to end the inning, and then later turned its 23
rd double play of the season after the first two batters reached via walks.
McLaughlin led the way for the Mo State offense after going 3-for-3 at the plate, while January drove in two runs on the night.
Game two of the series between the Bears and Aggies will take place tomorrow (May 1) at Killian Stadium. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.
#GoBears
