Blaine Kinsey

GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind.—The Indiana State softball team (11-15, 2-2 MVC) used a seven-run sixth to grab a 9-7 win over the Bears of Missouri State (10-15, 1-2 MVC) Friday in the Sycamores 2013 home opener at Price Field.

"The biggest thing is to take care of home field," head coach Shane Bouman said. "Our girls put in a lot of hard work and we really expect good things to happen. Finally today, all the pressure we put on people paid off in the end."

The Bears got on the scoreboard first off two hits in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Bears then added two more runs in the top of the second to extend their lead to 3-0 after two innings.

Sophomore Megan Stone cut into the Bears lead in the bottom of the second with a lead off home run to center field, her fourth of the season, to make it 3-1. 

Missouri State added one more run, however, in the top of the fourth to make it 4-1 Bears.

The Indiana State bats began to heat up in the bottom of the fifth when junior Morgan Allee hit an RBI single to score freshman Kelsey Montgomery and cut the Missouri State lead to 4-2. 

The Sycamores then scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth, off five hits, to take a 9-4 lead over the Bears. Missouri State tried to respond in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs but could get no closer as the Sycamores won their home opener 9-7.

Allee finished the game 2-4 with three RBI's while Stone was 2-3 with an RBI on a solo home run. Freshman Abbie Malchow was 1-2 with two RBI's and a run scored for the Sycamores.

The Sycamores and Bears will return to action on Saturday when they play a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. at Price Field.