Missouri State softball has had one thing in mind this season.
“There’s nothing like winning,” said Head Coach Holly Hesse. “And this team at this point in the year, that’s all they’ll accept.
That winning starts in the pitcher’s circle.
“Pitching definitely has really stepped up and filled some big roles,” Hesse said.
Last year Stephanie Dickerson and Madison Hunsaker threw more than 80% of the innings for the Bears
“See how they handled adversity saying like their thought process, it’s helped me a lot in my game today,” said sophomore McKenzie Vaughan.
With Dickerson and Hunsicker both gone to graduation, Mackenzie Vaughan and Johnston have filled those roles.
“They worked hard last year, to step into some big roles to fill in the eight-foot circle,” Hesse said. “And that work is paying off this year. It’s certainly been a pleasant surprise that they have stepped up as well as they have for me.”
“It’s awesome. To just see them step into that role and just kill it,” said senior Olivia Krehbiel.
This season, the Bears have more of a balanced approach after Dickerson led the way with more than 200 innings last year.
“[I] just think it’s good that we can all collectively like do it together,” Vaughan said. “Like it’s not riding one person. So the fact that we have multiple people that we can utilize is great for us.”
That rotation has led the Bears to an undefeated home record.
“We’ve got quite a streak going here the last couple of years in protecting our house,” Hesse said.
The Bears have won 18 straight at Killian Stadium, dating back to April of 2022.
“Our players just love playing at Killian,” Hesse said. “They take a lot of pride in protecting our house here and so just being at home is always special.”
“Just being at home, the atmosphere, our field is amazing. Our stands, we always have a bunch [fans and a] big crowd,” Krehbiel said.
That strong home record has MSU contending at the top of the MVC standings.
