PEORIA, Ill. – Shaye Barton was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBI, the heart of the Sycamore lineup continued to pound the ball and Indiana State eliminated Missouri State in a 10-8 win in the second round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Thursday.
 
For the Sycamores (19-34), eight of the 10 runs were driven in by the 3-4-5 batters with Barton once again leading the way. Amanda Guercio's 2-for-3 performance helped drive in two runs while Bella Peterson registered her third double of the tournament as she went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
 
More than just the heart of the lineup, Leslie Sims continued to produce in the leadoff spot with a 3-for-5 outing as she scored two runs to set a new school record for career runs scored (109 runs scored), breaking the old record of 107 set by Megan Stone.
 
And Indiana State continued to succeed with a flair for the dramatic, allowing three first inning runs by Missouri State (30-21) before scoring seven unanswered. For the second straight day, the Sycamores used a big inning to buoy their chances of advancing. This time, it was a five-run third inning while adding two more in the fourth and another three in the sixth to push ISU out to a 10-4 lead.
 
The Bears threatened in the bottom of the seventh as a grand slam by Kelly Metter drew the Bears within two. But Abbey Kruzel, who pitched the final two innings in relief for the Sycamores, struck out Darby Joerling for the final out to secure the 10-8 win.
 
Arielle Blankenship (7-10) was credited with the win after allowing one unearned run on three hits in 4.0 innings.
 
Steffany Dickerson (20-11) was charged with the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in 3.2 non-consecutive innings while striking out four. Metter's grand slam drove in four runs to lead the Bears while, despite scoring eight runs, Rachel Weber was the only Missouri State player to register multiple hits (2-for-4). By contrast, Indiana State had four players with multiple hits in the game.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Shaye Barton continues to roll in the postseason with a 3-for-3 performance with three RBI and three runs scored. She drew one walk and was part of the 24^th double play turned by the Sycamores this year.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
Arielle Blankenship was in the zone when she took the circle against the Bears, retiring seven of the first nine batters she faced while one of the two outliers reached on an error.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Arielle Blankenship, Indiana State (7-10)
• Loss: Steffany Dickerson, Missouri State (20-11)
• Save: None

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 19-34 (2-0 Postseason)
• Missouri State: 30-21 (0-1 Postseason)

UP NEXT

• Indiana State: Advances to face No. 4 Bradley on Thursday, May 9 at 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. CT)
• Missouri State: Season complete

NOTABLES

• Indiana State is now 3-2 all-time against Missouri State in MVC Tournament play.
• This marks the first time since 2015 that Indiana State has won two consecutive games to open MVC Tournament play.
• With two runs scored, Leslie Sims becomes the program's all-time runs scored leader (109).
• With her three RBI, Shaye Barton moved into a tie for third all-time at Indiana State with 89 career RBI alongside Katie Armour (2006-09).
• Barton also scored her 101^st career run, moving into a tie for fourth in the Indiana State record book alongside Sara Lemond (2000-03).

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