Racers Salvage Sunday Split with 6-4 Win Against MTSU

Sunday, March 4

Knoxville, Tenn.

1 p.m.

Murray State

Tennessee

Photo by: Murray State Sports Information

3/4/2012 10:08:00 PM | Softball

Tennessee Box Score | PDF Box Score
Middle Tennessee Box Score | PDF Box Score

Murray State softball won its final game of the Tennessee Classic Sunday night, rallying to defeat Middle Tennessee State 6-4 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Racers scored the first run of the game in the top half of the first as Leslie Bridges singled to left with two outs to score Mo Ramsey from third base.

Middle Tennessee would tie the contest in its next frame, taking advantage of a pair of fielding errors to bring one run across the plate.

The Blue Raiders took its first lead of the game in the third, scoring three runs on a pair of home runs to take a 4-1 advantage.

Murray State (5-4) responded in the top of the fourth, putting runners on first and second as Ellyn Troup and Morgan Harrell recorded back-to-back one out singles. A double steal with two outs put both runners in scoring position, and Christian Cox plated both on a single to the gap in right center to leave the Racers trailing 4-3 halfway through the game.

After a scoreless bottom half of the fourth, MSU kept the offense alive in the top of the fifth. Ramsey led off the inning with an infield single to third, and advanced to third on a steal of second and a wild pitch. Following a walk to Alexa Becker that placed runners on the corners, Bridges singled to right, scoring Ramsey as Becker was caught trying to advance to third. Casey Castile hit another infield single for the Racers, this time to the MTSU pitcher that moved Bridges to second. A wild pitch moved Castile and pinch runner Mallory Richardson into scoring position, and Meghan Sims scored both two batters later on a two-out single up the middle of the infield into center to take a 6-4 lead.

The Blue Raiders (3-8) would go quietly over the next three innings, recording just two hits and failing to advance any baserunners past first base.

Shelby Kosmecki earned the win for Murray State, pitching 4.1 innings out of the bullpen to pick up her second win of the season. She allowed just three hits in the relief appearance while striking out four in her sixth game of the season.

Bridges led the Racers with a pair of hits and two RBI in four at-bats as MSU held a 9-8 hit advantage over Middle Tennessee while drawing four walks to MTSU's zero.

Earlier in the day, the Racers struggled offensively versus one of the top teams in the nation as Ivy Renfroe tossed a no-hitter in an 8-0 win for #8 Tennessee (14-3).

Cox was the lone baserunner for MSU in the game, drawing a two-out walk in the top of the third. She would eventually move into scoring position on a passed ball, but was left stranded at second.

The Racers return to action next weekend, opening OVC play at Tennessee State in Nashville, Tenn. A doubleheader highlights action Saturday, March 10 at 1 p.m., with a single game to be played at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 11.