Bears Softball Battles Hard; Falls to South Dakota, 3-2

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Missouri State softball fell to 3-13 on the season with a 3-2 loss to South Dakota on Sunday morning to close its stay at the Tennessee Invitational.
 
It was a close battle throughout the game in the rematch between the Bears and Coyotes. Both teams managed a single baserunner in the first, but South Dakota was the first to break through with a run in the bottom of the second on a solo homer to right center field. 
 
Missouri State responded immediately in the top of the third. With two outs, Olivia Krehbiel drew a walk and Annie Mueller came to the plate and launched a two-run home run down the left field line to give the Bears a 2-1 lead. 
 
As was the case in yesterday’s game against South Dakota, the Coyotes took the momentum right back. USD knocked a leadoff double and laid down a sacrifice bunt before tying the game on a fielder’s choice. With two outs, the Coyotes sent a single to center field to score what would ultimately be the game-winning run as they took a 3-2 lead over Missouri State after three innings. 
 
From there, both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of the game. Makenzi Swick and the Bears defense held South Dakota to just one hit per inning across the last three innings. MSU managed five baserunners over the final four innings and had the tying run standing on third with two outs in the seventh, but the Bears weren’t able to push the run across in the 3-2 loss. 
 
Mueller (2-for-3, 2 RBI, run scored) logged both of MSU’s hits in the game, knocking a triple and a two-run homer. Freshman Alexis Perales drew three walks, while Krehbiel worked two walks and scored a run. 
 
Swick tossed 6.0 innings in the circle, allowing three earned runs on eight hits. She struck out one Coyote and allowed zero free passes. 
 
Missouri State begins conference play and opens its home slate next week. The six-game home stand begins with a two-game series against Southern Illinois. The Bears and Salukis face off on Tuesday, March 12 at 5 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m. Both games will stream on ESPN+.