Murray State University Athletics
Racers Open Softball Season at Ole Miss Classic
2/24/2010 3:00:00 PM | Softball
The Murray State softball team will play its first official game, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 in the Red and Blue Classic hosted by Mississippi. The Racers first opponent will be SIU Edwardsville at 2 p.m. at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. MSU will also face Ole Miss Friday at 4 p.m. Saturday's schedule will include a game against Centenary at 10 a.m. before the teams will be seeded for the final games of the tournament. One will play four at 2 p.m. Saturday and two will play three at 4 p.m. The winners will then play Sunday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m., with the consolation game being played at noon.
Scouting the Rebels
Ole Miss comes into the tournament with a 6-4 record after going 3-2 last weekend at the Florida Atlantic Tournament.
Becky Nye has thrown three complete games in six appearances in the circle for the Rebels and has a 4.20 ERA. Amber Tramp is a key hitter early in the year for Ole Miss. Tramp has two doubles, one home run and eight RBIs. Corrine Doornberg is the team's hit leader with 13 hits in 32 at bats and only one strike out.
Scouting the Cougars
SIUE is 2-7 on the year after falling in all five games at the Auburn Tournament a weekend ago.
Erika Taylor has seen 65.4% of the pitching time for the Cougars, appearing in six of their nine games. Taylor has thrown five complete games and has recorded 38 strike outs and has an ERA of 2.45. Lauren Zembruski and Elese Lawrence are the top hitters for the Cougars, with three extra-base hits each. Zembruski has two doubles and a home run, while Lawrence has three doubles.
SIUE is quick on the bases, having recorded seven stolen bases on 10 attempts this season. The team has only allowed one stolen base in five attempts by their opponents.
Scouting the Ladies
Centenary is 1-3 on the year after going 1-2 at the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tournament last weekend. The Ladies will face Grambling Wednesday afternoon before heading to Oxford, Miss.
Sara Dornelas is the only pitcher to have picked up a win on the season, with none of the Ladies four pitchers having thrown a complete game. Dornelas is 1-2 on the season with a 5.40 ERA, eight strike outs in 11.2 innings of work.
Centenary has struggled a little in the batters box so far this season, with a .165 batting average. Only four players have recorded an extra-base hit (all doubles). However the Ladies are strong in the field, with a .968 team fielding percentage.
Building A Foundation
The Murray State softball team will be playing its inaugural softball season in 2010 and will be looking to build a foundation for the future. Head Coach Jay Pyron has assembled a versatile team that will be characterized by their strong work ethic. Every player and staff member is excited to get onto the field and show what it means to be part of the Racer softball program.
“We have a lot of versatility,” said Pyron. “We have players that not only can play any position on the field defensively, but also have a rare combination of speed and power.”
The team is focusing on working hard, building team chemistry and doing things the right way to make sure that they are not just successful this year, but for many years to come.
Pitching
MSU has a group of four pitchers in the circle made up of both freshmen and junior-college transfers. Kristen Broadway and Chelsey Sullivan are both transfers who will bring a great amount of experience and leadership to the Racers. Broadway, a NJCAA First-Team All-American, is expected to provide stability for MSU in the circle, pitching a lot of innings and putting the team in a position to win ball games. Sullivan will also provide leadership for the Racers, as she continues to get back in shape after an injury a year ago.
The Racers also have two freshman pitchers who are expected to add depth to the pitching staff. Shelby Kosmecki made a big impact in the fall season and is expected to be a key contributor in this season. Starr Gilley saw limited action this fall, but may be able to contribute more to the team as she continues to develop.
Catchers
The Racers have two talented hitters behind the plate. Ellyn Troup is a power hitter and has all the intangibles that Pyron was looking for in a catcher. Troup is a leader on the field and a team organizer. Kaitlyn England will also likely see time behind the plate and is a catcher that pitchers like to throw to.
Infield
MSU has a group of six student-athletes ( Lauren Buch, Christian Cox, Stephanie Edwards, Megan Glosser, Stephanie Mattocks, Madi Ratliff) that will make up the infield.
“Right now we are trying to find the best match-up in the infield,” Pyron said. “We have a very talented group and some are moving to positions that they haven't played before.”
Outfield
The Racers have five players ( Megan Belio, Jenna Bradley, Toree Rogers, Taylor Wilson, Alaina Zloty) listed for outfield positions that can all read the ball well and have the ability to cover a lot of ground.
“I am really pleased with the outfield,” said Pyron. “They are probably the best group of outfielders that I have coached.”
Overall, Pyron has compiled a solid group of talented players that are excited to get the season started.
“We have a good combination of players that can do it all offensively and defensively at any position,” added Pyron. “There is a lot of excitement in our program to get out and play the first season.”
Starting Out Against Strong Competition
The Murray State softball team will play its first official games Feb. 26-28 at the Red & Blue Classic and the first pitch will fly at Racer Softball Field at Murray-Calloway County Park, March 3. The schedule includes three teams that advanced to the NCAA Regionals and several tough regional opponents.
After competing for the first week of the 2010 campaign on the road, MSU opens its home schedule, March 3 against Evansville. The Racers then return to the road for the second tournament of the season, but this time will be much closer to home as they travel to Nashville, Tenn., to participate in the Lady Bison Classic, March 6-7.
The final tournament of the season will see Belmont and Alcorn State joining MSU at Racer Softball Field, March 13-14 for the Racer Classic.
The rest of the non-conference portion of the schedule includes games against Travecca Nazarene, SIU Edwardsville, Alabama State, Samford, Bethel, Western Kentucky and Mid-Continent.
The first Ohio Valley Conference match-up is scheduled for March 20-21 in Nashville, Tenn., against Tennessee State, while the first home OVC games will be against defending OVC regular-season champions and NCAA Super Regional participants Jacksonville State, March 27-28. Two days later, March 30, the Racers will battle with UT Martin, the OVC Tournament Champions and NCAA Regional participants in Martin, Tenn.
The Racers play regular-season games through May 9, with this season's OVC Championship scheduled for May 13-15. The OVC softball championship will be hosted by the team that claims the regular-season title.
Gaining Early Recognition
The Racers have earned respect in the Ohio Valley Conference even before they have played their first official game. MSU was picked to finished eighth, out of 10 teams in the 2010 OVC Preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches.
Scouting the Rebels
Ole Miss comes into the tournament with a 6-4 record after going 3-2 last weekend at the Florida Atlantic Tournament.
Becky Nye has thrown three complete games in six appearances in the circle for the Rebels and has a 4.20 ERA. Amber Tramp is a key hitter early in the year for Ole Miss. Tramp has two doubles, one home run and eight RBIs. Corrine Doornberg is the team's hit leader with 13 hits in 32 at bats and only one strike out.
Scouting the Cougars
SIUE is 2-7 on the year after falling in all five games at the Auburn Tournament a weekend ago.
Erika Taylor has seen 65.4% of the pitching time for the Cougars, appearing in six of their nine games. Taylor has thrown five complete games and has recorded 38 strike outs and has an ERA of 2.45. Lauren Zembruski and Elese Lawrence are the top hitters for the Cougars, with three extra-base hits each. Zembruski has two doubles and a home run, while Lawrence has three doubles.
SIUE is quick on the bases, having recorded seven stolen bases on 10 attempts this season. The team has only allowed one stolen base in five attempts by their opponents.
Scouting the Ladies
Centenary is 1-3 on the year after going 1-2 at the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tournament last weekend. The Ladies will face Grambling Wednesday afternoon before heading to Oxford, Miss.
Sara Dornelas is the only pitcher to have picked up a win on the season, with none of the Ladies four pitchers having thrown a complete game. Dornelas is 1-2 on the season with a 5.40 ERA, eight strike outs in 11.2 innings of work.
Centenary has struggled a little in the batters box so far this season, with a .165 batting average. Only four players have recorded an extra-base hit (all doubles). However the Ladies are strong in the field, with a .968 team fielding percentage.
Building A Foundation
The Murray State softball team will be playing its inaugural softball season in 2010 and will be looking to build a foundation for the future. Head Coach Jay Pyron has assembled a versatile team that will be characterized by their strong work ethic. Every player and staff member is excited to get onto the field and show what it means to be part of the Racer softball program.
“We have a lot of versatility,” said Pyron. “We have players that not only can play any position on the field defensively, but also have a rare combination of speed and power.”
The team is focusing on working hard, building team chemistry and doing things the right way to make sure that they are not just successful this year, but for many years to come.
Pitching
MSU has a group of four pitchers in the circle made up of both freshmen and junior-college transfers. Kristen Broadway and Chelsey Sullivan are both transfers who will bring a great amount of experience and leadership to the Racers. Broadway, a NJCAA First-Team All-American, is expected to provide stability for MSU in the circle, pitching a lot of innings and putting the team in a position to win ball games. Sullivan will also provide leadership for the Racers, as she continues to get back in shape after an injury a year ago.
The Racers also have two freshman pitchers who are expected to add depth to the pitching staff. Shelby Kosmecki made a big impact in the fall season and is expected to be a key contributor in this season. Starr Gilley saw limited action this fall, but may be able to contribute more to the team as she continues to develop.
Catchers
The Racers have two talented hitters behind the plate. Ellyn Troup is a power hitter and has all the intangibles that Pyron was looking for in a catcher. Troup is a leader on the field and a team organizer. Kaitlyn England will also likely see time behind the plate and is a catcher that pitchers like to throw to.
Infield
MSU has a group of six student-athletes ( Lauren Buch, Christian Cox, Stephanie Edwards, Megan Glosser, Stephanie Mattocks, Madi Ratliff) that will make up the infield.
“Right now we are trying to find the best match-up in the infield,” Pyron said. “We have a very talented group and some are moving to positions that they haven't played before.”
Outfield
The Racers have five players ( Megan Belio, Jenna Bradley, Toree Rogers, Taylor Wilson, Alaina Zloty) listed for outfield positions that can all read the ball well and have the ability to cover a lot of ground.
“I am really pleased with the outfield,” said Pyron. “They are probably the best group of outfielders that I have coached.”
Overall, Pyron has compiled a solid group of talented players that are excited to get the season started.
“We have a good combination of players that can do it all offensively and defensively at any position,” added Pyron. “There is a lot of excitement in our program to get out and play the first season.”
Starting Out Against Strong Competition
The Murray State softball team will play its first official games Feb. 26-28 at the Red & Blue Classic and the first pitch will fly at Racer Softball Field at Murray-Calloway County Park, March 3. The schedule includes three teams that advanced to the NCAA Regionals and several tough regional opponents.
After competing for the first week of the 2010 campaign on the road, MSU opens its home schedule, March 3 against Evansville. The Racers then return to the road for the second tournament of the season, but this time will be much closer to home as they travel to Nashville, Tenn., to participate in the Lady Bison Classic, March 6-7.
The final tournament of the season will see Belmont and Alcorn State joining MSU at Racer Softball Field, March 13-14 for the Racer Classic.
The rest of the non-conference portion of the schedule includes games against Travecca Nazarene, SIU Edwardsville, Alabama State, Samford, Bethel, Western Kentucky and Mid-Continent.
The first Ohio Valley Conference match-up is scheduled for March 20-21 in Nashville, Tenn., against Tennessee State, while the first home OVC games will be against defending OVC regular-season champions and NCAA Super Regional participants Jacksonville State, March 27-28. Two days later, March 30, the Racers will battle with UT Martin, the OVC Tournament Champions and NCAA Regional participants in Martin, Tenn.
The Racers play regular-season games through May 9, with this season's OVC Championship scheduled for May 13-15. The OVC softball championship will be hosted by the team that claims the regular-season title.
Gaining Early Recognition
The Racers have earned respect in the Ohio Valley Conference even before they have played their first official game. MSU was picked to finished eighth, out of 10 teams in the 2010 OVC Preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches.
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