Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
Racers Rally in Eighth to Earn 5-4 Victory Over Eastern Kentucky
3/7/2010 6:00:00 PM | Softball
The Murray State softball team rallied in the top of the eighth inning to earn a 5-4 extra-inning decision over Eastern Kentucky in its final game of the Lady Bison Classic hosted by Lipscomb.
Junior Lauren Buch was placed on second to start the inning due to international tie-breaker rules. Freshman Stephanie Edwards then grounded out to the short stop, but Buch was able to advance to third. Freshman Kaitlyn England then reached on an error by the first baseman and Buch was able to cross the plate for the winning run.
The Colonels (1-11) then had their first batter fly out to right field before they advanced their added base runner on a sacrifice bunt. The next batter then flew out to left field to end the game in favor of the Racers (2-9).
"I am pleased with how we competed today. It was the first game all year that we really competed for a full game," said head coach Jay Pyron. "We made some mistakes, but we also made a lot of big time plays that kept us in the game. I am really proud of how our team kept fighting throughout the game even though we were behind."
Junior Kristen Broadway, who had started the game in the circle for MSU, reentered and earned the save, while sophomore Chelsey Sullivan picked up the win. Freshman Starr Gilley pitched the bulk of the game (4.2 innings) and recorded six strike outs for MSU.
" Starr Gilley kept us in the game and Chelsey Sullivan came in and gave us two good innings," Pyron said. "We got into some tight spots, but Chelsey rose to the occasion and kept us in the game. Then Kristen Broadway came in and threw a great eighth inning."
The Racers got on the scoreboard right away in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Megan Glosser drew a walk as the lead-off hitter and then stole second. Two batters later junior Jenna Bradley singled to the right side and Glosser scored from second.
The lead was short lived as the Colonels tallied two runs in the bottom of the first to go up 2-1.
MSU tied the game at two in the top of the fourth inning. England reached on an error on the first baseman and was then advanced to second on a single by freshman Madi Ratliff to left field. England then scored one batter later when junior Taylor Wilson singled to left center.
EKU added a run in the bottom of the fifth to go ahead 3-2 on an error.
Junior Jenna Bradley gave the Racers a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh with a two-run home run to left center field. The homer was Bradley's third of the season and also scored freshman Megan Belio who had singled just inside the left field grass.
" Jenna Bradley had a big swing that brought us back in the game, " commented Pyron.
The Colonels then tied the game in the bottom of the seventh after the lead-off batter walked and stole both second and third. The second batter then hit a single up the middle to bring in the tying run.
The Racers next outing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9 at Racer Field at Murray-Calloway County Park when they host Travecca Nazarene for a 3 p.m. double-header. MSU is also set to host the Racer Classic, March 13-14 at Racer Field. The Racers welcome Alcorn State and Belmont.
Quotes
Head Coach Jay Pyron
"When you go to extra innings those games are always a battle and it was nice to come out on top."
"We had a lot of players all over the field step up and make plays today. I am really pleased with our pitching staff."
"We are still learning how to approach the game offensive, but we had some players step up today and do what we needed from them."
"We had a lot of players that could have chosen not to fight, but we competed and worked through it."
