Murray State University Athletics
Racers Prepare for SIU Edwardsville and Tennessee State
3/16/2010 3:00:00 PM | Softball
The Murray State softball team will host SIU Edwardsville, Wednesday, March 17 and then start its Spring Break trip in Nashville, Tenn., at Tennessee State, March 20-21.
Scouting the Cougars
SIUE is currently 12-11 overall, but will have one more chance to improve its record before the team comes to Murray, as they host Bradley, Tuesday, March 16.
The Cougars went 2-2 last weekend at the Arkansas Tournament, with wins over Louisiana Tech (7-5) and Southeast Missouri State (6-5).
Whitney Davis is the teams hit leader and second on the team in RBIs, with 25 and 12. Davis has a .342 batting average and is also a key defensive player for the Cougars, with a .994 fielding percentage. She has 152 put outs, eight assists and just one error in the field. Lauren Zembruski is the team's RBI leader, with 13 on 18 hits, including a team-high three home runs.
Erika Taylor is the go-to pitcher for SIUE, with a 2.82 ERA. She is 11-7 on the season in 19 appearances and 16 complete games in the circle. She has tallied three shut outs, 109 strike outs and 39 walks in 119 innings.
Facing Familiar Foe
Wednesday's game will be the third meeting between the Racers and the Cougars this season after meeting twice at the Ole Miss Tournament. SIUE earned both victories in those meetings, 13-8 and 2-0.
Whitney Davis and Chaleen Rumpf led the Cougars with two hits each. Davis had five RBIs, while Rumpf garnered two. Erika Taylor earned two of her victories in the circle against the Racers, with a total of 15 strike outs and three walks.
MSU was led by Megan Glosser, Stephanie Edwards, and Taylor Wilson, with three hits each. Shelby Kosmecki was the pitcher of record for both games, including the team's first complete game, recording five strike outs. Kristen Broadway also saw action in the circle with five strike outs in five innings of work.
Scouting the Lady Tigers
TSU is 3-10 overall after going 1-3 two weekend's ago at the War Eagle Classic hosted by Auburn. The Lady Tigers have been idle since March 7, but are scheduled to play a double header against Belmont, Wednesday, March 17 at Tiger Field.
TSU is led by Bridget Metzger, who has a .325 batting averaging and 13 hits. Seven of her 13 hits have been for extra bases, six doubles and one home run. Metzger also has a team-high five RBIs on the season. Brittany Webb is the only other member of the team with a double-digit hit total, with 11 and three RBIs.
The Lady Tigers have six pitchers, but three have seen most of the action in the circle. Hannah Schnebly has a 2-3 record in eight appearances and 29.1 innings of work. Schnebly has tallied 20 strike outs and eight walks, while allowing 26 hits. Megan Hedrick and Caitlin Eaton are the other top pitchers for TSU, with 20 innings of work each. Hedrick has 18 strike outs to her credit, while Eaton has garnered 12.
First Conference Series
The games at Tiger Field will fill in the blanks on another first for the Racers, as they will be playing their first Ohio Valley Conference series. MSU will then play its first conference home series, March 27-28, when defending OVC champions Jacksonville State comes to town.
Bradley Stepping Up
Junior Jenna Bradley has been hitting when it means the most for the Racers. Bradley has seven hits on the season, with four of those hits being home runs. Her latest home run was the game-winner for MSU at Belmont (10-2), March 14. The Trilla, Ill., native hit a shot to left center in the top of the first that drove in three runs.
Picking Up First Win
The Racers earned their first collegiate victory, March 3, 2010 against Evansville (6-2) in the second game of a double-header at Racer Field. MSU followed with its second win over Eastern Kentucky, March 7, 2010 at the Lady Bison Classic hosted by Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn.
Weather Weary
Last week's weather was not kind to MSU, as they were forced to postpone or cancel all of the scheduled games. The Racers double header against Trevecca Nazerene that was scheduled for March 9 was postponed. MSU and the Trojans will try to make-up the games later in the season. The Racers were also forced to cancel their first tournament (Racer Classic) with Belmont and Alcorn State. MSU then revamped the weekend and went to Belmont for a double header instead.
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.
Building A Foundation
The Murray State softball team is playing its inaugural softball season in 2010 and is 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.”
Up Next
The Racers games against Tennessee State start a five-game Spring Break road swing, which includes games against Alabama State (March 23) and Samford (March 24).
Scouting the Cougars
SIUE is currently 12-11 overall, but will have one more chance to improve its record before the team comes to Murray, as they host Bradley, Tuesday, March 16.
The Cougars went 2-2 last weekend at the Arkansas Tournament, with wins over Louisiana Tech (7-5) and Southeast Missouri State (6-5).
Whitney Davis is the teams hit leader and second on the team in RBIs, with 25 and 12. Davis has a .342 batting average and is also a key defensive player for the Cougars, with a .994 fielding percentage. She has 152 put outs, eight assists and just one error in the field. Lauren Zembruski is the team's RBI leader, with 13 on 18 hits, including a team-high three home runs.
Erika Taylor is the go-to pitcher for SIUE, with a 2.82 ERA. She is 11-7 on the season in 19 appearances and 16 complete games in the circle. She has tallied three shut outs, 109 strike outs and 39 walks in 119 innings.
Facing Familiar Foe
Wednesday's game will be the third meeting between the Racers and the Cougars this season after meeting twice at the Ole Miss Tournament. SIUE earned both victories in those meetings, 13-8 and 2-0.
Whitney Davis and Chaleen Rumpf led the Cougars with two hits each. Davis had five RBIs, while Rumpf garnered two. Erika Taylor earned two of her victories in the circle against the Racers, with a total of 15 strike outs and three walks.
MSU was led by Megan Glosser, Stephanie Edwards, and Taylor Wilson, with three hits each. Shelby Kosmecki was the pitcher of record for both games, including the team's first complete game, recording five strike outs. Kristen Broadway also saw action in the circle with five strike outs in five innings of work.
Scouting the Lady Tigers
TSU is 3-10 overall after going 1-3 two weekend's ago at the War Eagle Classic hosted by Auburn. The Lady Tigers have been idle since March 7, but are scheduled to play a double header against Belmont, Wednesday, March 17 at Tiger Field.
TSU is led by Bridget Metzger, who has a .325 batting averaging and 13 hits. Seven of her 13 hits have been for extra bases, six doubles and one home run. Metzger also has a team-high five RBIs on the season. Brittany Webb is the only other member of the team with a double-digit hit total, with 11 and three RBIs.
The Lady Tigers have six pitchers, but three have seen most of the action in the circle. Hannah Schnebly has a 2-3 record in eight appearances and 29.1 innings of work. Schnebly has tallied 20 strike outs and eight walks, while allowing 26 hits. Megan Hedrick and Caitlin Eaton are the other top pitchers for TSU, with 20 innings of work each. Hedrick has 18 strike outs to her credit, while Eaton has garnered 12.
First Conference Series
The games at Tiger Field will fill in the blanks on another first for the Racers, as they will be playing their first Ohio Valley Conference series. MSU will then play its first conference home series, March 27-28, when defending OVC champions Jacksonville State comes to town.
Bradley Stepping Up
Junior Jenna Bradley has been hitting when it means the most for the Racers. Bradley has seven hits on the season, with four of those hits being home runs. Her latest home run was the game-winner for MSU at Belmont (10-2), March 14. The Trilla, Ill., native hit a shot to left center in the top of the first that drove in three runs.
Picking Up First Win
The Racers earned their first collegiate victory, March 3, 2010 against Evansville (6-2) in the second game of a double-header at Racer Field. MSU followed with its second win over Eastern Kentucky, March 7, 2010 at the Lady Bison Classic hosted by Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn.
Weather Weary
Last week's weather was not kind to MSU, as they were forced to postpone or cancel all of the scheduled games. The Racers double header against Trevecca Nazerene that was scheduled for March 9 was postponed. MSU and the Trojans will try to make-up the games later in the season. The Racers were also forced to cancel their first tournament (Racer Classic) with Belmont and Alcorn State. MSU then revamped the weekend and went to Belmont for a double header instead.
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.
Building A Foundation
The Murray State softball team is playing its inaugural softball season in 2010 and is 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.”
Up Next
The Racers games against Tennessee State start a five-game Spring Break road swing, which includes games against Alabama State (March 23) and Samford (March 24).
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