Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
UAB
Buch Powers Racers In Weekday Split At UAB
3/15/2011 7:47:46 PM | Softball
Lauren Buch hit her fifth home run of the season to propel Murray State to a series split at UAB, winning game two 2-0 while dropping the opener 4-0 in Birmingham, Ala.
Buch's two run homer came with two outs in the top of the first, scoring Megan Glosser from second and giving the Racers their first lead of the day. The inning proved to be the only one in game two to see any runs, and Ellyn Troup's single though the right side was the last time an MSU player would reach base in the game.
MSU would work out of trouble multiple times in the game after walking eight batters and allowing four hits. The Racers forced UAB to leave the bases loaded at the end of the second, fourth and six innings as the Blazers left a total of 12 runners stranded in the game.
Madysen Wilton picked up the win for Murray State (4-12), her first collegiate victory in seven appearances this season. She walked three and gave up one hit, striking out two in 2.1 innings of relief.
Chelsey Sullivan earned the Racers first save of the season in 1.1 innings of action. She entered in the bottom of the sixth with bases loaded and two outs, getting out of the inning with a force out at third base on a grounder to short on her first pitch of the game.
Lannah Campbell took the loss for UAB, allowing two runs on three hits with five strikeouts in five innings in the circle.
The shutout win was Murray State's second this season in the state of Alabama after an 8-0 win against Belmont at the War Eagle Classic
The Racers struggled against the UAB pitching duo of Lauren Webster and Alisha Smith in the opener, recording a total of 14 strike outs against the Blazers top two pitchers.
UAB (17-8) found the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second on a single to right field by Webster. The Blazers loaded the bases before MSU starter Sullivan got a strike out with and ground out to short stop to end the threat.
Webster brought in another run for UAB in the fourth on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded. Sullivan worked out of trouble again with a grounder to second to head to the top of the fourth trailing 2-0.
The Blazers added a final pair of runs in the fifth inning on a two run home run from Kristen McGrath for the final 4-0 score.
Glosser led the Racers with two of the team's four hits in game one. She looked to put the Racers even at 1-1 after doubling down the left field line, but was ruled out at third base a batter later due to runner interference to end the inning.
Webster picked up the win for UAB, tossing four innings with four hits allowed and eight strike outs. Alisha Smith threw three innings in relief, striking out six.
Sullivan took the loss for MSU, giving up four runs, two earned, on four hits and seven walks in six innings. She struck out four.
Murray State returns to OVC action this weekend, hosting Eastern Illinois for three games in the home opener at Racer Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on March 19.
