Murray State
Eastern Illinois
Racers Clinch Spot in the 2010 OVC Championship After Split With Eastern Illinois
5/8/2010 11:00:00 PM | Softball
The Murray State softball team clinched a spot in the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Championship in its inaugural season with a split in the first day of the three game series against Eastern Illinois. The Racers (21-27, 10-11 OVC) fell in the opener, 4-1, before coming back to earn a 6-3 win in the second game of the day. MSU also got help from Austin Peay, who had to lose a game in its series with Eastern Kentucky and the teams split in the first day of their series.
"It is exciting to for us as a team to make the OVC Tournament in our first season," said head coach Jay Pyron. "It is always a positive thing to keep your season going."
Freshmen Ellyn Troup and Kaitlyn England were strong at the plate for the Racers, with two hits each. Troup hit her fourth home run of the season and added a double in the second game for two RBIs. England got three RBIs off a double in the second game.
Sophomore Chelsey Sullivan earned her second-straight victory in the circle in the night cap. The Shelbyville, Ill., native retired 10 of the 12 batters she faced in four innings of work. She allowed one hit and one walk and struck out three after sending six of the first seven batters she faced back to the dugout.
Game 2 - Murray State 6, Eastern Illinois 3
The Racers took control in the top of the first inning in the second game, scoring two runs. Glosser hit a ball right in front of the plate and beat out the throw for a base hit. However, she continued around the bases as the throw went all the way to the right field fence to score the first run of the game. Freshman Ellyn Troup followed with her fourth home run of the season over the fence in left center.
EIU cut the lead in half in the with a lead-off home run in the bottom of the second inning.
MSU extended its lead to 3-1 in the top of the third. Troup hit a double to right center that scored Bradley, who was on second after a walk and a stolen base.
The Panthers tied the game at three in the bottom of the third off three hits. Both teams then went three-up three down in the fourth inning.
The Racers broke the stalemate in the top of the fifth, by scoring three runs with two outs. Freshman Megan Belio was on third after a base hit up the middle and a sacrifice bunt by Glosser when EIU walked both Bradley and Troup to load the bases. Freshman Kaitlyn England then hit a single to right center that cleared the bases and gave MSU a 6-3 lead for the rest of the game.
Game 1 - Eastern Illinois 4, Murray State 1
The opening game of the series was a defensive battle at the start with both teams having only one base runner in the first three innings. Both teams then had scoring chances in the fourth inning with runners on second and third but neither was able to get a runner across the plate.
The Panthers were the first team to break the scoreless streak in the bottom of the fifth inning, as they took a 4-0 lead.
Junior Jenna Bradley got the Racers on the board in the top of the sixth with a triple off the left field fence that scored sophomore Megan Glosser from second. That ended the scoring for both teams and allowed EIU to take to 4-1 victory in the opening game.
The Racers and Panthers will conclude the three-game series, Sunday, May 9, with the first pitch set to fly at noon at Williams Field. MSU will have to wait until the end of tomorrow's OVC schedule to find out what seed they will get in the OVC Championship, May 13-15 at UT Martin.
Quotes
Head Coach Jay Pyron
"We talked in the dugout about weathering out every game and that you never stop fighting until the game is over."
" Chelsey Sullivan threw the ball really strong today. She came in and gave us four really good innings and looked composed and in control. The team feed off that energy."
Sophomore Chelsey Sullivan
"I was ready for the opportunity to do my job today when I was called into the game. I tried to stay relaxed and throw the ball where I needed it to go."
"It was a big win for us today. After the game we still thought that we had to win two games to make the tournament so to find out that we made it in after this win today just made the win that much better."
Freshman Ellyn Troup
On her performance at the plate in Game 2
"I just focused on getting through the ball. I had been making good contact all day and just waited for my pitch."
"Making the tournament in our first season is a big deal for us. I know there are some teams out there that had to wait a long time for this chance."
