CARBONDALE, Ill. – Missouri State softball’s (31-20) season came to an end after suffering a heartbreaking 15-inning marathon battle to Belmont (28-23) in the MVC Softball Championship quarterfinals here Thursday night.
MSU found some early momentum, scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning beginning with an Annie Mueller double to left center field. Senior Alex Boze then knocked a single to center before Kelsie Lewis laid down a squeeze bunt to put the Bears on the board first.
Missouri State kept the Bruins off the board until the sixth inning when Belmont used a couple of singles and a walk to load the bases. Then, Belmont sent a bloop single into left field to tie the game at 1-1 as a Bruin runner was thrown out at home trying to score the go-ahead run.
The marathon then kicked into full force as both squads were held scoreless over the next eight full innings. Belmont broke the scoring drought in the top of the 15th inning following a leadoff double and a one-out sacrifice fly to right field to take a 2-1 lead.
Thursday night’s 15-inning contest tied for the second-longest game (according to innings) on record in program history. The two teams combined for 21 hits with just two going for extra bases, 22 runners left on base and 474 pitches.
In the circle, Gracie Johnston drew the start and hurled 8.1 innings stellar innings. The senior allowed just one earned run while scattering eight hits and striking out a career-high seven Bruins. Sophomore Mackenzie Chacon came on in relief and pitched a gem herself with six innings of work. Chacon surrendered just two hits, allowed no runs and struck out six Belmont hitters.
Alex Boze (2-for-2), Olivia Krehbiel (2-for-5, BB) and Annie Mueller (2-for-6, R) logged multiple-hit games for the Bears, while Lewis picked up an RBI.
The Bears end the season with a 31-20 overall record, a 21-6 record in conference and finished second in the MVC regular season standings.
