TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State softball notched their 13^th MVC win of the year, the most since the 2015 season, defeating Missouri State in the series opener at Price Field on Friday, 3-1.
 
The Sycamores (25-23, 13-9 MVC) scored three runs in the first two innings to get past the Bears (28-17, 18-4 MVC) to snap Missouri State's 10-game winning streak.
 
Indiana State finished with eight hits for their first win over Missouri State since the 2021 season.
 
Saturday's contest has been moved to a 10 a.m. ET start due to inclement weather in the forecast.
 
The Action
Lexi Benko started off Friday's contest with a swinging strikeout en route to her team-best 12^th victory of the year. Following a single up the middle, Kennedy Shade fielded a ball of Benko's glove, stepped on second and fired to first for an inning-ending double play.
 
Olivia Patton led off the bottom of the first with a walk and would eventually score on a Kennedy Shade sacrifice fly to put ISU up 1-0. Isabella Henning, who singled earlier in the frame, would then score on a Annie Tokarek RBI single through the left side which made it a 2-0 game after one inning of play.
 
After Benko worked a scoreless top of the second, Danielle Henning would extend the Sycamore lead to 3-0 after a RBI single through the left side scored Kaylee Barrett.
 
Benko tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the third, bringing the Sycamores to the plate where Annie Tokarek and Cassie Thomerson singled but Missouri State was able to turn a double play to get out of the jam.
 
The Bears got on the board in the top of the fourth with a solo home run to right center, making it a 3-1 contest. Olivia Patton had a single in the bottom half but ISU could not get a run across in the frame.
 
Missouri State led the fifth inning off with a single off the wall in right, chasing Sycamore starter Lexi Benko who was replaced by Cassi Newbanks. Newbanks struck out the first batter she faced then got a fielder's choice for the second out. The Bears then singled to put a runner in scoring position but Newbanks got a foul pop which was snagged by Isabella Henning to retire the side. Kennedy Shade singled in the bottom half but that was all for the Sycamore offense.
 
Newbanks picked up her second strikeout In the sixth, holding the Bears scoreless again to keep it a 3-1 ballgame. Olivia Patton reached again with a walk but would be stranded at first.
 
In the top of the seventh, Missouri State got a runner to second with just one out but Cassi Newbanks was able to close it out, securing the 3-1 victory for the Sycamores to open the series.
 
Olivia Patton reached base four times, finishing 2-for-2 with a pair of walks while Annie Tokarek also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-2. Danielle Henning, Isabella Henning, Cassie Thomerson, and Kennedy Shade each finished with one hit.
 
Lexi Benko struck out three in four innings of work to earn the win. Cassi Newbanks threw three scoreless frames, striking out a pair.
 
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