Mueller’s Career Day Leads Bears to Series Win

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State softball (12-28, 8-11 MVC) collected its second consecutive run-rule victory over Valparaiso (8-31, 2-14 MVC) with a 12-1 win in five innings on Saturday afternoon. 
 
Bears slugger Annie Mueller had a career day as she tied the Missouri State single-game record with eight RBI against the Beacons. Mueller went 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI single, a grand slam and a three-run homer, collecting her first-career multiple home run game. 
 
Missouri State kept the momentum going from yesterday’s run-rule victory, once again getting on the board in the first inning to set the tone for the afternoon. The Beacons threatened in the first with runners on first and second base with just one out, but Mackenzie Chacon got two strikeouts to end the inning and squash the Valpo threat. 
 
Olivia Krehbiel picked up right where she left off yesterday, knocking a leadoff double to right center field, before advancing to third on a wild pitch. After back-to-back MSU outs, Mueller sent a ball back up the middle to score Krehbiel and give the Bears the early 1-0 lead. 
 
Valparaiso’s lone run of the day came in the top of the third as Regi Hecker hit a solo homer to tie the game at 1-1. The game didn’t stay knotted for long, though, with MSU’s offense responding in a big way in the home half of the inning. Chloe Merced led off the third with a single, Krehbiel drew a walk as the Beacons pitched around her and Ellie McCoy managed a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. After a strikeout for the first out, Mueller launched a no-doubt grand slam over the wall in left center field to extend the MSU lead to 5-1. 
 
As the game entered the bottom of the fourth, the Bears put the game on ice, scoring seven runs on five hits and a Valpo error in the frame. Emily Chadwick and Merced opened the fourth with back-to-back singles before the Beacons pitched around Krehbiel for the second time, once again loading the bases with no outs. McCoy drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to left field, efore Kayla Ulrich knocked an RBI single through the left side. Mueller strolled to the plate with another big opportunity awaiting her, and she delivered, sending her second long ball of the day over the wall in right center field to drive in three runs. MSU wasn’t done, though, as a hit by pitch and an error on a fielder’s choice put two Bears on base. Sofia King then delivered an RBI double that bounced off the diving Valpo left fielder before Chadwick drove in the seventh run of the inning on a ground out to first, making it a 12-1 lead for MSU. 
 
Shelby Houchlei came on in relief in the fifth to close the game out for the Bears. Missouri State secured the 12-1 run-rule victory in five innings to collect a series win over the Beacons.
 
Following Mueller’s career day at the plate, Merced had another good offensive outing in the designated player role, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Additionally, Krehbiel went 1-for-1 at the plate with a double, two walks and three runs scored. Seven different Bears had hits on the afternoon.  
 
In the circle, Mackenzie Chacon (8-10) earned her eighth victory of the season. The junior left-hander allowed one earned run on four hits and struck out three Beacons in 4.0 innings of work. 
 
Missouri State will go for the series sweep tomorrow (April 21). First pitch against Valpo is set for 12:00 p.m. at Killian Stadium in Springfield and the game will stream on ESPN+.