SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State scored five runs in each of the first two innings and blasted three home runs to turn back visiting Illinois State, 10-0, in a run-rule shortened conference victory here Friday.
Mackenzie Chacon (4-3) pitched 4.0 innings to pick up the win for MoState (4-15, 1-2 MVC) with a strikeout and just three hits allowed. Shelby Houchlei pitched a 1-2-3 fifth to preserve the club’s first shutout of the season.
The Bears racked up 10 hits on the day, including three apiece from Annie Mueller and Abby Ford.
Ford drove in four runs, including a three-run blast to right field in the second for her first collegiate home run. Mueller’s third home run of the season came earlier in the five-run second for the Bears, a two-run shot.
In the opening frame, it was catcher Alexis Perales who had the big hit for the home side. The freshman hit a towering blast over the fence in left field for her first career bomb, a three-run homer that followed RBI hits by Sidney McLaughlin and Ford earlier in the inning.
Illinois State scattered three singles and had runners on second and third in the top of the third inning before Chacon induced a grounder to second to end the Redbirds’ threat. Adisyn Hopkins led off the ISU fourth with a walk and got as far as third base before Chacon slammed the door again with some help from Olivia Krehbiel who made a solid play to end the inning.
Krehbiel finished with a pair of runs scored for the Bears, as did McLaughlin, Ellie McCoy and Ford.
Hannah Meshnick (3-9) took the loss for ISU after giving up all 10 runs in 1.2 innings of work with a pair of walks.
Missouri State continues the three-game Missouri Valley Conference home stand against the Redbirds on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Admission is free for all home games this season.
