DES MOINES, Iowa – Missouri State softball's (20-33) season came to an end in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinals following a 6-5 loss to fourth-seeded Illinois State (24-29). 
 
For the second day in a row, the Bears surrendered runs early but fought back by the end of the game. Illinois State used a leadoff triple and three more hits in the inning to grab the early momentum with a three-run first inning. 
 
MoState had a couple of early opportunities but couldn't quite cash in with a run on the scoreboard. The Bears got a runner to third in the first before a strikeout ended the inning. In the second frame, Missouri State knocked back-to-back singles to lead things off but the Bears were then retired in order, squashing the threat. 
 
Illinois State added to its lead in the bottom of the second with another three-run inning. Three consecutive one-out singles pushed the fourth run of the game across for the Redbirds before a MoState error allowed two more to score making it a 6-0 game in favor of the Redbirds. 
 
As always, the Bears weren't going down without a fight as they responded with their first run of the ballgame on a McKenzie Vaughan solo homer to left center in the top of the third.
 
Following its first 1-2-3 inning of the game, the Bears were primed with another scoring opportunity in the fourth. Unfortunately, MoState couldn't take advantage of a leadoff walk, a single and a sacrifice bunt in the inning, coming up empty in the frame to keep it at 6-1.
 
The momentum swung back in the Bears' favor after outfielder Chloe Merced caught a fly ball and doubled up the Redbird runner to get MoState back on offense with no damage done. After back-to-back strikeouts to begin the top of the fifth, the Bears out together a crucial two-out rally. Vaughan kickstarted the offense once again with her second solo home run of the game, marking her 15^thhomer of the season. Riley Baber immediately sent a double down the right field line, setting up Alexis Perales who launched a two-run homer to left field to bring the Bears within two runs. 
 
MoState kept rolling, retiring the Redbirds in order in the bottom of the fifth. Sidney McLaughlin drew a leadoff walk to start the sixth, before Kenzie Derryberry moved Sofia King, who re-entered the game, over to second with a sacrifice bunt. Aubrey Johansen once again exercised her Iowa magic, knocking a pinch-hit RBI single down the left field line to pull the Bears within a run at 6-5. 
 
The Bears defense did its job in the sixth, holding the Redbirds off the board, giving themselves a chance to extend the game in the seventh. Vaughan led the inning off with a bloop hit down the right field line, before an error put two runners on with just one out. A fielder's choice got the lead runner before a strikeout ended the game. 
 
Vaughan led the way for the Bears on offense with a 3-for-4 day at the plate that featured two home runs. Perales and Lauren Rowland also recorded multiple-hit days with a couple of hits apiece, while Perales drove in two runs. 
 
Mackenzie Chacon was impressive in relief, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing three runs (one earned). She held the Redbirds off the scoreboard after the second inning as the Bears clawed their way back into the game. 
 
Missouri State finishes the season with a 20-33 overall record and finished tied for fourth in the MVC regular season standings with a 16-11 league record.