Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
UT Martin
Softball Drops Final Game of Series 4-2 Against UT Martin
3/25/2012 4:43:00 PM | Softball
Box Score | Box Score (PDF)
Murray State softball fell short of taking its first home series sweep this weekend, dropping game three against UT Martin 4-2 Sunday afternoon at Racer Field.
UT Martin scored first for the third straight game, starting off the game on a lead-off triple against the right field fence from OVC batting leader Leah Taylor. Kayla Wade followed with a single that landed in front of MSU pitcher CheyAnne Gaskey that was ruled to have been touched on a catch attempt before it rolled into foul territory.
Both runners would be thrown out on an attempted double steal, as short stop Alexa Becker cut off the throw to second and threw back to home in time for catcher Ellyn Troup to tag out Taylor trying to score from third. Troup was able to then throw out an advancing Wade from second for the second out of the play.
Both outs would prove beneficial as Lauren Smith followed with her second home run of the series to the gap in right field to put the Skyhawks up 1-0.
The Racers (11-7, 6-3 OVC) wouldn't trail for long as Leslie Bridges would counter with a home run of her own to the left of the scoreboard in left field. The blast was her second of the season.
Troup drew a bases-loaded walk in the next at-bat and moved in to scoring position on a ground out to the second baseman. She advanced to third as Stephanie Edwards reached safely on a booted ground ball by the second baseman. Troup would come in to score on an Alexa Becker ground ball to the shortstop, beating the double play attempt at first to take a 2-1 lead.
UTM (19-12, 9-2) tied the game up again in its half of the fourth as Stephanie Nidiffer grounded out to third with the bases loaded to even the game at 2-2. Erica Duke would double the Skyhawks' runs total on the day, singling to the wall in right center to score both remaining runners before getting thrown out trying to advance to second.
The Racers had a chance to cut into the lead, leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth as UTM left fielder Wade caught a line drive from Alexa Becker above her head to end the inning.
Chelsea Jones earned the win for UT Martin, improving to 13-4 on the season. She tossed all seven innings, allowing a pair of runs (one earned) on five walks while limiting the Racers to three hits.
CheyAnne Gaskey took the loss for Murray State, falling to 2-2 in her third start of the season. She was on the hook for just one of the four runs scored on five hits and a pair of walks. She struck out two in four innings.
Shelby Kosmecki pitched the remaining three innings for the Racers, allowing just one hit and a walk while also striking out one.
The Racers hit the road this week, traveling to Memphis, Tenn., for a midweek doubleheader at the University of Memphis. First pitch Wednesday afternoon is scheduled for 4 p.m.
