SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State softball split a Friday doubleheader at Northern Iowa, falling 12-3 in five innings in the first game before bouncing back with a 11-5 in the second game.
Game 1 (5 Innings) – Northern Iowa 12, Missouri State 3
It was a tale of two games in the Friday afternoon doubleheader with game one going in favor of the Panthers.
The Bears started the game out strong with a two-run homer in the top of the first, but the Panthers responded immediately with a three-run shot in the bottom half of the first. From there, though, the Northern Iowa offense exploded for runs over the first four innings.
After the Panthers took a 6-2 lead after three innings, the Bears scored one in the fourth on an Annie Mueller solo homer to left field.
Unfortunately, a sixth-run fourth inning would ice the game for the Panthers as Missouri State fell 12-3 in five innings.
Game 2 – Missouri State 11, Northern Iowa 5
Missouri State bounced back in a big way in game two on the afternoon to even the series.
For the second consecutive game, the Bears struck first after Alexis Perales knocked an RBI single. Missouri State caught a big break in the bottom of the first when a Northern Iowa baserunner was called out following a review on a play that initially resulted in a two-run homer.
The sixth inning was the difference-maker in this one as Missouri State posted six runs on eight hits. Olivia Krehbiel got the rally started with a leadoff homer before four straight singles scored a run and loaded the bases. Kelsie Lewis then strolled to the plate and cleared the bases with a triple to right center field, marking MSU’s sixth consecutive hit to start the inning and giving the Bears a 6-0 lead. A Kenzie Derryberry sacrifice bunt scored Lewis for the sixth run of the third inning and pushed the MSU lead to 7-0.
Northern Iowa made things interesting as the Bears needed just three outs to complete the run-rule victory. But the Panthers used five hits in the inning to cut MSU’s lead in half, making it an 8-4 game with four innings in the books.
Missouri State didn’t flinch, scoring a run in the sixth after two singles and a UNI error before posting two more runs in the seventh on a wild pitch and Krehbiel’s second homer of the game to secure an 11-5 road victory.
Five Bears had multiple hits in the game, led by Krehbiel who went 4-for-5 with two RBI, two homers and a triple. Annie Mueller was 2-for-2 with two RBI, two runs and two walks and Lewis led the way with three RBI in game two.
In the circle, Mackenzie Chacon tossed a complete game, allowing four earned runs and striking out four to earn the victory.
The Bears and Panthers face off tomorrow (April 6) to decide the series. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.
