Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Western Kentucky
Racers Come Up Just Short in 4-3 10-Inning Loss at Western Kentucky
4/14/2010 2:00:00 AM | Softball
The Murray State softball team made a come-back to tie the game in the sixth and seventh, but dropped a 4-3 decision, in 10 innings, at Western Kentucky. The game goes down as the longest game so far this season for the Racers, who are now 13-22 overall.
"I am really happy with how we played throughout the game," said head coach Jay Pyron. "We had some missed opportunities, but overall we put ourselves in position to win the game and battled for 10 innings. It just didn't end the way we wanted it to."
MSU was led by junior Jenna Bradley, who tallied three of the Racers nine hits. The Trilla, Ill., native hit the game-tying hit in the top of the seventh and recorded one RBI. Freshman Megan Belio added two hits, while sophomore Megan Glosser, freshmen Ellyn Troup and Kaitlyn England and junior Lauren Buch each added a hit to their season totals.
MSU used three pitchers in the circle, with junior Kristen Broadway earning the start and pitching the first four innings. Freshman Starr Gilley came in to relive Broadway and pitched 5.1 innings, recording three strike outs and earning the loss.
" Kristen Broadway started us off well in the circle and Starr Gilley threw a really great game in relief," Pyron said.
The Hilltoppers were the first to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning. The lead-off hitter recorded a triple and then scored on a double steal attempt. WKU added runs in the bottom of the fourth and the fifth to go up 3-0.
The Racers got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning and cut the lead to two, 3-1. Glosser hit a ball back at the pitcher, but beat the throw to first for a single with one out. Bradley followed with a single to left field and Troup drove in Glosser from second with a single to left field.
MSU tied the game at three in the top of the seventh on three hits. Buch started the inning off by singling at the short stop and advanced to second when freshman Stephanie Edwards grounded out to the short stop. Junior Taylor Wilson then reached on an error and moved Buch to third. A single to left field by Belio allowed Buch to score to cut the lead to one. A well hit ball at the pitcher by Glosser loaded the bases for Bradley to earn a game-tying hit to left field that scored Wilson.
Both teams stepped up the defense and the game was forced into the 10th inning when the international tie-breaker rule was put into effect, placing a runner on second to start the inning. The Racers were unable to advance their runner before the inning ended. However, the Hilltoppers loaded the bases with two walks and the winning run was walked in to end the game with a 4-3 score in favor of WKU.
The Races return to Racer Field at Murray-Calloway Country Park for the rest of the week. MSU will first host UT Martin, Wednesday, April 14 at 5 p.m. and then Southeast Missouri State April 17-18 at 1 p.m. each day.
Quotes
Head
Coach Jay Pyron
"I like how my team competes and fights.
Lately they have been fighting when we are ahead and when we are
behind. They always fell like the game
is within reach so it's good to see them compete hard until the last out is
recorded."
" Jenna Bradley has played well for us all year and she has come through for us several times this season."
"We played much better defense today and got production throughout the line-up."
