TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State kicked off its series against Missouri State with a commanding 6-2 win in Game 1, fueled by a quick start and a stellar pitching performance from Hailey Griffin.
Hannah Welch led the way at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Lauren Marsicek also had a strong performance, collecting three hits and driving in a run.
Morgan Goodrich contributed with a 2-for-4 outing, adding an RBI, while Kenzie Cornwell recorded a double, drove in an RBI, and walked once. Peyton Simmons scored twice and recorded a double.
The Sycamores wasted no time getting on the board, capitalizing on timely hitting and a Missouri State miscue to jump out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
Madison Poulson led off with a triple down the right-field line and scored on a throwing error. Sophie Esposito reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and came around to score on Hannah Welch's RBI single.
Welch later crossed the plate on Kenzie Cornwell's RBI double to center, giving Indiana State early momentum.
The offensive rhythm continued in the second. Peyton Simmons drew a walk and moved to third on a single by Lauren Marsicek.
Morgan Goodrich followed with a clutch RBI single to left center, scoring Simmons and extending the Sycamore lead to 4-0.
Hailey Griffin was in command from the start, striking out the side in the third inning and holding Missouri State hitless through four.
The Bears finally broke up the no-hit bid in the fifth with a single by Merced, but Griffin remained composed in the circle.
Indiana State tacked on another run in the fifth as Esposito reached on an error and scored on Welch's second RBI single of the day.
Marsicek added an insurance run in the sixth with an RBI single to make it 6-0.
Missouri State made a push in the top of the seventh, scoring their only two runs of the game.
After a strikeout to open the frame, Baber and Struder singled before Derryberry delivered a 2-RBI triple to put the Bears on the board.
However, Griffin shut the door with her eighth strikeout of the game to preserve the 6-2 win.
Griffin went the distance for the Sycamores, improving to 7-6 on the season. She allowed just four hits and two earned runs with no walks and eight strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
Up Next: The Sycamores and Bears will face off in Game 2 at Price Field tomorrow at 2 p.m.
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