SPRINGFIELD, MO ? It turned out to be a pitching battle for the Indiana State Sycamores (8-11) and the Missouri State Bears (11-4) in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both squads. Each game came down to a one-run victory as the Sycamores took the first game 1-0 but dropped the second 2-1.
In game one, Darcy Wood threw all seven innings facing 29 batters but giving up just four hits. Wood struck out five in the game as her record improves to 4-1. Missouri State pitcher Melissa Porche (5-3) also threw a complete game but was outdone by Wood and the Sycamores as she gave up six hits including three in the top of the third inning allowing Indiana State to score the lone run of the game.
Sam Markowski and Lindsey Starwalt both singled to get on base and Meredith Simpson followed with an RBI single of her own to give the Sycamores the 1-0 game one victory.
In game two, the Sycamores took the early lead in the first inning off singles by Simpson and Britt Boyer. The Bears would tie the game in the second and score the game winning unearned run in the fourth off an infield hit, a sacrifice, and a passed ball. Meagan McCurdy (4-4) pitched all seven innings picking up the loss.
The Sycamores and the Bears will wrap up the three-game series tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Indiana State will open at home on Wednesday, March 19, with a doubleheader against Butler beginning at 2:00 p.m.
