SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State softball (8-21) won its fourth consecutive game with a 9-1 run-rule victory over Kansas City (4-21) here Wednesday evening in Springfield.
 
The Bears got things rolling early with a run in the bottom of the first inning via a Sidney McLaughlin double over the left fielder's head to score Taylor Akers.
 
Kansas City managed to get its first two runners on in the top of the second inning, and they both ended up in scoring position courtesy of a MoState error. Then, Mackenzie Chacon and the Bears defense locked it down with two runners on and no outs, retiring the next three batters in order with no damage done.
 
Missouri State struck again in the home half of the third inning, utilizing four singles and a walk to post two more runs. Akers got the offense going again with a one-out single before stealing second base. After a McKenzie Vaughan walk, McLaughlin, Riley Baber and Halle Studer knocked base hits in the inning to put the Bears up 3-0 after three innings.
 
After stranding two Roos in the top of the fourth, MoState tacked on another run in the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff home run off the bat of Chloe Merced.
 
The Roos broke up the shutout in the top of the fifth inning after two singles and a passed ball in the frame allowed a run to cross the plate.
 
Despite giving up the run, MoState responded in a major way in the bottom of the fifth inning, tallying five runs to end this one early. Baber and Kenzie Derryberry each hit singles to begin the inning, before Studer laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance them both. Four consecutive singles drove in four runs to put the Bears on the verge of a run-rule, leading 8-1. A fly out and an Akers stolen base gave MoState runners on second and third with two outs, then McLaughlin delivered the final blow with a RBI down the left field line to secure the 9-1 run-rule victory over Kansas City.
 
Akers had a career day, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases from the leadoff spot in the order. Merced drove in a game-high three runs and scored twice on the evening. Chacon earned her first victory of the season in the circle, allowing just one run (unearned) and scattering six hits in the complete-game effort.
 
Missouri State quickly hits the road for a three-game conference series at Murray State. The adjusted weekend schedule has the Bears and Racers playing a single game on Thursday, March 27 at 5:00 p.m., before closing the series with a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28.