TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Missouri State spoiled Indiana State's Senior Day and home finale Saturday as the Sycamores dropped a 4-1, 9-inning game to close out the 2019 regular season.
 
The game – the longest of the 2019 season for Indiana State – was initially looking good for the Sycamores (17-34, 5-21 Missouri Valley) when Annie Tokarek drove in a run with a double to left center in the second. Missouri State (30-20, 14-11) would strand two runners over the next three innings with only one reaching scoring position.
 
Tokarek, who led the Sycamores with a 2-for-2 performance, continued to succeed at the plate with a single in the fifth that led to a bases loaded situation. But the Bears, keeping the ball from the leaving the infield after Tokarek's single, ended the threat and prevented any runs from scoring.
 
Missouri State drew even in the sixth when Alex Boze hit a sacrifice fly to left with runners on second and third before a Gabbi Schnaiter strikeout ended the inning. Indiana State would threaten again by putting runners in scoring position over the next two innings but, failing to push one across, the game entered extra innings.
 
A Sycamore error in the ninth would extend the top of the ninth, allowing a Madison Hunsaker single to break open the tie before Rachel Weber put two more across with a double to right center. ISU put a runner in scoring position in the bottom half of the frame with a one-out Becky Malchow single and a passed ball, but the Bears recorded two quick groundouts to end the threat and the game.
 
Abbey Kruzel (1-5) was charged with the loss, allowing three unearned runs on four hits in 2.2 innings. She replaced the steady performance of Gabbi Schnaiter who struck out for and allowed just one run on six hits in the 6.1-inning, no-decision outing.
 
Steffany Dickerson (20-10) claimed the win after allowing one run on eight hits in 9.0 innings, walking two and striking out three. Weber led MSU with a 3-for-5 day at the plate with two RBI.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Annie Tokarek claims this honor as she went 2-for-2 at the plate with a double, driving in Indiana State's only run of the game.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
Nine. Regardless of the outcome of the game, Indiana State secured the No. 9 seed at the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament after Illinois State swept a doubleheader over Valparaiso Saturday. The official tournament bracket will be released Sunday following the conclusion of all regular season games.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Steffany Dickerson, Missouri State (20-10)
• Loss: Abbey Kruzel, Indiana State (1-5)
• Save: None

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 17-34 (5-21 MVC)
• Missouri State: 30-20 (14-11 MVC)

NOTABLES

• Indiana State falls to 28-64 all-time against Missouri State with an 11-27 mark in Terre Haute.
• The Sycamores turned their 23^rd double play of the season, a mark that leads the Missouri Valley Conference.
• Leslie Sims stole her 32^nd base of the season, which ranks second in ISU history in a single season.
• Indiana State's 90.2 success rate on stolen base attempts continues to lead the Valley and ranks in the top 20^th nationally.

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