Missouri State University

Senior Katie Martin launched a one-out double to score sophomore Jessie Smith in the 11th inning as the Missouri State softball team defeated Wichita State, 1-0, Wednesday at the Missouri State Softball Field. Junior Melissa Porche was outstanding on the mound for the Bears, pitching a complete game shutout, as Missouri State improved to 16-20 overall and 5-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Wichita State dropped to 18-24 and 6-6.

Smith walked with one out in the 11th to set up the heroics by Martin. The centerfielder hit the ball off the wall in right-center field and Smith raced around from first and safely slid into home ahead of the throw. The double was Martin’s third hit of the day, as she accounted for three of the five Bears hits in the contest.

Porche was in command from the start, as she allowed no Wichita State runner to advance beyond second base in the game. The 11-inning effort marked a season high for Porche, as the junior struck out 12 batters in the contest, one shy of a season high, and evened her record at 12-12 on the season. Porche allowed seven hits in the game, including back-to-back singles in the second for the Shockers only multi-hit inning. Following a 9th inning leadoff single by WSU’s Lindsie Mitts, Porche retired the final nine batters she faced in the game.

Margo Pruis (10-11) was the tough-luck loser for Wichita State, as she allowed five hits while striking out nine in the complete game effort. Pruis retired 12 MSU batters in a row before walking Smith in the 11th.

Smith and Martin led off the game with back-to-back singles, but the Bears failed to capitalize. Smith added another single in the third and junior Lacie Ballard laced a double in the 4th for the Bears’ only other hits of the afternoon. Britnee Barnett led the Shockers with a 2-for-5 performance and a stolen base in the contest.

The teams played error-free softball in the 11-inning contest. Smith had a career-high seven assists from shortstop to lead the Bears. Martin and pinch runner Carrie Roberson each stole a base in the game for Missouri State.

Missouri State will conclude its nine-game home stand with a doubleheader Friday against Northern Iowa at the Missouri State Softball Field. Due to forecasted cold weather in the area, the start time for game one has been moved up to 2 p.m. with game two to follow. The doubleheader was originally scheduled for 4 and 6 p.m.