SAN MARCOS, Texas – Home-standing Texas State used a six-run first inning to set the pace early and then closed things out with a four-run sixth as part of a 10-2 decision over Missouri State here Saturday in the finale of the three-game series.

Freshman Riley Baber was 1-for-3 and a pair of RBI for the Bears (1-18), including her second home run of the season, while McKenzie Vaughan finished 2-for-3 for the visitors.

Vaughan (1-5) also got the start in the circle for MoState but was chased early with the Bobcats loading the bases out of the gates behind an MSU error and two walks. Karmyn Bass singled home a run before a Kate Bubela grand slam made it a 5-0 game before the first out was recorded. Later, Texas State tacked on a sixth run on a base hit by Bailee Slack.

From there, MSU reliever Mackenzie Chacon kept Texas State in check for the next three innings, scattering just one hit to give the Bears a chance to get back in the game.

Baber launched a two-out solo homer to left in the fourth to break up the TSU shutout. Later, Baber's fielder's choice in the sixth plated pinch runner Taylor Akers to make it a 6-2 game.

However, the Bobcats scattered four singles in the sixth, chasing Chacon and securing the run-rule victory with four more runs. Bubela, who finished with 5 RBI on the day, drove in a run for Texas State in the decisive inning, as did Bass whose bases-loaded walk accounted for her second RBI of the day.

Emma Strood (7-3) picked up the win for the Bobcats, striking out seven and walking one in 5.0 innings while allowing just two hits and a run. Abigail Jennings pitched the final inning in relief.

Chacon pitched 5.1 effective innings in relief for MSU, surrendering just six hits (five singles) in that span, including three in the sixth, while walking two and getting a strikeout. 

Outside Vaughan's two hits and Baber's homer, the Bears also got a hit from freshman Brynn Romine.

The Bears are on the road at SIU Edwardsville on Tuesday before beginning conference play at home next weekend with a three-game set against UIC at Meador Park, Thursday through Saturday.