CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Missouri State softball (11-24, 9-4 MVC) earned a 10-1 run-rule in five innings over Northern Iowa (20-11, 8-3 MVC) to even the series here Saturday afternoon. 
 
The game was locked in a pitcher's duel through the first three innings, before UNI started the scoring with a solo home run to center field in the top of the fourth inning. That would ultimately be the only run of the game for the Panthers, but the Bears offense then came alive. 
 
Missouri State answered right back in dominant fashion, as Riley Baber led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo homer of her own to tie the game at 1-1. The Bears weren't done as they added three more runs in the frame to take the lead. MoState used a variation of three singles, two wild pitches, a walk and a sacrifice fly to take a 4-1 lead after four innings. 
 
The Bears kept the momentum in their favor, retiring the Panthers in order in the top of the fifth via a line out, fly out and strikeout. Then, MoState stayed hot in the box and poured on the runs. 
 
Riley Baber got another hit to lead off an inning, this time a single to lead off the fifth, which Chloe Merced followed up with a bunt single to put runners on the corners. A Merced stolen base and a Brynn Romine singled pushed across the fifth run of the game for the Bears. Halle Studer came to the plate and sent a sacrifice fly to left field to extend the MoState lead to 6-1. With a runner on second and two outs on the board, the Bears knocked back-to-back singles to increase the advantage by a run. 
 
Then came the knockout blow as McKenzie Vaughan launched a three-run homer to right center field to secure the 10-1 run-rule victory for Missouri State in five innings.  
 
Vaughan (7-6) also earned the victory in the circle after tossing a complete game. She allowed just one earned run while scattering five hits and striking out six Panthers. Five different Bears recorded multiple-hit games, while Vaughan led the way with three RBI followed by Sidney McLaughlin with two RBI. MoState also didn't strike out on the afternoon.
 
Missouri State and UNI will face off in the rubber match tomorrow (April 6). First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.