Murray State University Athletics
Softball Set to Face First Opponent at Racer Field at Murray-Calloway County Park
3/2/2010 1:00:00 AM | Softball
The Murray State softball team will begin this weeks action at Racer Field at Murray-Calloway Country Park, when the Racers host Evansville in their first home games. The Purple Aces will come to Murray for a Wednesday, March 3 3 p.m. double-header.
MSU will face Evansville again later in the week as part of the Lady Bison Classic hosted by Lipcomb, March 5-7 at Draper Diamond. Besides the host Lady Bison and the Purple Aces, the Racers will face Eastern Kentucky in the three day tournament.
MSU will open the tournament against Lipscomb, Friday, March 5 at 4 p.m. The Racers then face Evansville at 12:15 p.m. and the Lady Bison at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, March 6. In the final day of action, MSU will face Eastern Kentucky at 10 a.m.
Scouting the Purple Aces
Evansville is 1-3 after its first weekend of action at the UT Chattanooga Tournament. The Purple Aces earned their lone win on the weekend against Ohio Valley Conference member Austin Peay (3-0) and fell to Kentucky, Georgetown and Wright State.
Kendall Kautz has seen the most action in the circle for Evansville, with 11.1 innings of work in two appearances. Kautz pitched a complete game against Austin Peay and tallied six strike outs. Kautz has recorded 10 strike-outs this season, while allowing 13 hits (only one an extra base hit) and tallying six walks.
Ashleigh Rahming is the top producer at the plate for Evansville this year. Rahming has garnered five hits in 11 at-bats. She has one double on the year and has one RBI. Amy Gaertner leads the team with two RBIs after hitting a home run against Austin Peay.
Scouting the Lady Bison
Lipscomb is 12-1 on the season after going 4-0 at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., last weekend.
Whitney Kiihnl leads the team in the circle, with an 8-0 record in nine appearances. Kiihnl has struck out 85 batters and walked just 14, while allowing 10 hits, and two runs (one earned). She has pitched four complete games.
Kellie Sirus is the leader offensively for the Lady Bison. Sirus has 20 hits, including five doubles, one triple and four home runs on the year in 38 at-bats. She as 1.026 slugging percentage and .526 batting average. Sirus has also earned 16 RBIs in 13 games.
Lipscomb has seven players on the team with at least 11 hits. The team has a combined batting average of .355 and is equally strong in the field, with a .985 fielding percentage. The Lady Bison have stolen nine bases in 15 attempts this season, while their opponents have taken five stolen bases in 11 attempts.
Scouting the Colonels
While EKU is a member of the OVC, the game this weekend will not count as a league game. The Colonels have struggled in the opening weekends of the season, starting 0-9. EKU went 0-5 at the Kickin' Chicken Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina.
The Colonels have three main pitchers that have made appearances in three of four of the team's nine games. Noelani Esperas leads the team with 17 innings pitched and 15 strike outs, while Kristin Perry has 10 strike outs in 11 innings of work. All three pitchers have an ERA between six and eight.
Diane Gallagher leads the team with 13 hits and a .488 batting average. Raquel Howes is the RBI leader, with eight, and Jena Handley has added seven.
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 Racers' schedule includes three teams that advanced to the NCAA Regionals and several tough regional opponents.
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.
MSU will face Evansville again later in the week as part of the Lady Bison Classic hosted by Lipcomb, March 5-7 at Draper Diamond. Besides the host Lady Bison and the Purple Aces, the Racers will face Eastern Kentucky in the three day tournament.
MSU will open the tournament against Lipscomb, Friday, March 5 at 4 p.m. The Racers then face Evansville at 12:15 p.m. and the Lady Bison at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, March 6. In the final day of action, MSU will face Eastern Kentucky at 10 a.m.
Scouting the Purple Aces
Evansville is 1-3 after its first weekend of action at the UT Chattanooga Tournament. The Purple Aces earned their lone win on the weekend against Ohio Valley Conference member Austin Peay (3-0) and fell to Kentucky, Georgetown and Wright State.
Kendall Kautz has seen the most action in the circle for Evansville, with 11.1 innings of work in two appearances. Kautz pitched a complete game against Austin Peay and tallied six strike outs. Kautz has recorded 10 strike-outs this season, while allowing 13 hits (only one an extra base hit) and tallying six walks.
Ashleigh Rahming is the top producer at the plate for Evansville this year. Rahming has garnered five hits in 11 at-bats. She has one double on the year and has one RBI. Amy Gaertner leads the team with two RBIs after hitting a home run against Austin Peay.
Scouting the Lady Bison
Lipscomb is 12-1 on the season after going 4-0 at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., last weekend.
Whitney Kiihnl leads the team in the circle, with an 8-0 record in nine appearances. Kiihnl has struck out 85 batters and walked just 14, while allowing 10 hits, and two runs (one earned). She has pitched four complete games.
Kellie Sirus is the leader offensively for the Lady Bison. Sirus has 20 hits, including five doubles, one triple and four home runs on the year in 38 at-bats. She as 1.026 slugging percentage and .526 batting average. Sirus has also earned 16 RBIs in 13 games.
Lipscomb has seven players on the team with at least 11 hits. The team has a combined batting average of .355 and is equally strong in the field, with a .985 fielding percentage. The Lady Bison have stolen nine bases in 15 attempts this season, while their opponents have taken five stolen bases in 11 attempts.
Scouting the Colonels
While EKU is a member of the OVC, the game this weekend will not count as a league game. The Colonels have struggled in the opening weekends of the season, starting 0-9. EKU went 0-5 at the Kickin' Chicken Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina.
The Colonels have three main pitchers that have made appearances in three of four of the team's nine games. Noelani Esperas leads the team with 17 innings pitched and 15 strike outs, while Kristin Perry has 10 strike outs in 11 innings of work. All three pitchers have an ERA between six and eight.
Diane Gallagher leads the team with 13 hits and a .488 batting average. Raquel Howes is the RBI leader, with eight, and Jena Handley has added seven.
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 Racers' schedule includes three teams that advanced to the NCAA Regionals and several tough regional opponents.
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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