Missouri State University’s softball team ended its participation in the City of Lights Classic in Natchitoches, Louisiana, by splitting a doubleheader on Saturday. The Bears secured a 9-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff before falling to Northwestern State 5-3.
In the first game, Missouri State capitalized on opportunities early and took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Kayla Ulrich’s RBI single brought home Halle Studer. The game remained scoreless through the next three innings until the Bears scored six runs in the fifth, aided by Arkansas-Pine Bluff errors and timely hits. Emily Gerardy contributed with a two-RBI single, while Emily Chadwick added a two-RBI triple. Lauren Rowland also drove in a run with a single.
The Bears extended their lead in the sixth inning with RBIs from Sofia King and Sidney McLaughlin. Pitcher Paityn Engemann earned her first win of the season, pitching a complete game shutout with six innings, allowing only two hits and striking out two batters.
Game two saw Missouri State struggle early as Northwestern State scored five runs in the first inning without recording a hit. Walks, an error, and a hit batter led to the deficit for the Bears. Emily Koranda came on in relief and held Northwestern State hitless for the remainder of the game.
Missouri State attempted to rally throughout the contest. In the fourth inning, Lauren Rowland doubled and later scored on Aubrey Johansen’s sacrifice fly. In the fifth, Sofia King delivered another pinch-hit RBI single to narrow the gap. Rowland continued her strong performance with an RBI double in the seventh inning but Missouri State’s comeback fell short when Halle Studer’s deep fly ball was caught at the wall to end the game.
Despite taking a loss, Missouri State pitchers did not allow any hits against Northwestern State—a rare no-hitter that still resulted in defeat. Rowland led Missouri State offensively with two doubles and one RBI across both games.
