SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A four-run sixth inning to rally back for the lead was all for naught Sunday as Indiana State allowed a pair of two out unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh to drop a 5-4 decision at Missouri State at Killian Stadium in Springfield.
 
Indiana State (23-25, 10-13 Missouri Valley) was one out away from a big win and moving up to third in The Valley standings. But Missouri State (32-16, 17-5) took advantage of a two-out walk then a single and a throwing error to score two runs and walk-off with the win.
 
The Bears, who took the early 2-0 lead off a pair of sacrifice flies by Darian Frost in the first and third innings, added a third run off a Leslie Sims throwing error following a double.
 
Indiana State rallied back in the sixth as Sims hit a bases-loaded single to score one. After Bailey Martin hit an RBI groundout to second, Mallory Marsicek drove in two runs on a single up the middle to give the Sycamores a 4-3 lead.
 
Abbey Kruzel (4-7) took the loss after being charged with two runs – both unearned – on one hit in 1 2/3 innings pitched. She walked three and struck out one while facing eight batters. Kylie Stober allowed two runs on four hits in three innings with the start while Della Gher allowed one unearned run on one hit in two innings in relief of Stober.
 
Mallory Marsicek once again led the Sycamores at the plate with a 2-for-4 day with two runs driven in. Erika Vazquez Zimmer led Missouri State with a 2-for-4 day with two runs scored while Daphne Plummer was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Steffany Dickerson (7-5) was creditd with the win after holding Indiana State scoreless over the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Mallory Marsicek again plagued the Bears at the plate, going 2-for-4 and driving in a pair of runs with her single in the sixth. She finished the weekend 6-for-11 at the plate with three RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
Indiana State scored three of its four runs in the game with two outs.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Steffany Dickerson, Missouri State (7-5)
• Loss: Abbey Kruzel, Indiana State (4-7)
• Save: None

 
RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 23-25 (10-13 MVC)
• Missouri State: 32-16 (17-5 MVC)

NOTABLES

• The loss drops Indiana State to 26-64 all-time against Missouri State. It marked Missouri State's first three-game sweep over the Sycamores since 2010.
• With the loss, Indiana State suffered its only second sweep of the year and its first three-game sweep.
• Michael Perniciaro is now 9-15 all-time against Missouri State.
• Bailey Martin's stolen base marked the 57^th steal of the season for Indiana State as the 2018 Sycamores matched the 2001 squad for eighth most in a single season in school history.
• Mallory Marsicek's two-run single in the sixth marked the tam's 349^th hit of the season, matching the 2016 Sycamores for the eighth most hits in school history.

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