Bears take second game by 4-3 final
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – One day after staging a dramatic 7th-inning rally, the University of Evansville softball team was primed to do the same on Saturday, but Missouri State held on for a 4-3 win at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at Cooper Stadium.
Trailing by a 4-1 tally entering the bottom of the 7th, the Purple Aces registered five hits and two runs as the bases were loaded with two outs. Interference was called on the final play with finishing with the win.
Saturday marked Senior Day for UE with its 2024 class being recognized. Hannah Hood, Megan Brenton, Alexa Davis, Mikayla Jolly, Brooke McCorkle, Jenna Nink and Marah Wood were honored following the game.
Evansville looked to jump out to an early lead as Zoe Frossard and Brooke Voss reached on consecutive singles before Jenna Nink was issued a 2-out walk to load the bases. A groundout ended the threat to send the game into the second.
Missouri State scored three times in the third to open the scoring. Chloe Merced had a triple while Annie Mueller had a solo home run in the frame. Another run crossed the plate in the top of the fourth as the Bears picked up three more hits to make it a 4-0 game.
Lacy Smith brought in the first UE run of the game with a single through the left side to score Marah Wood in the bottom of the fourth. Megan Brenton came into the game and tossed three scoreless innings to give the Aces a chance in the bottom of the 7th.
Alexa Davis led off with a single to get things rolling. With one out, Brooke Voss, Jess Willsey and Jenna Nink each hit singles of their own, plating two runs. With two outs, Marah Wood singled to left to load the bases. On the final play, a runner interference ended the threat and MSU took the win.
Sunday’s series-deciding game will begin with a 12 p.m. first pitch.
