Long Balls Power Softball To 1st Series Win at UT Martin

Sunday, April 14

Martin, Tenn.

1 p.m.

Murray State

17-22, 8-8

UT Martin

29-13, 10-6

Murray St.

UT Martin

Photo by: Murray State Sports Information

Long Balls Power Softball To 1st Series Win at UT Martin

4/14/2013 11:24:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

| Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats (PDF)

The Murray State softball team used home runs from Ellyn Troup and Alexa Becker to take Sunday's rubber match at UT Martin, 3-2 and secured the series win at Giles Softball Field for the first time in program history.

Troup got the Racers (17-22, 8-8) started in the top of the second when she homered to left center, her fifth-round tripper of the season. However, Lauren Smith of UT Martin (29-13, 10-6) wasted no time in answering in the bottom of the frame with a home run of her own to tie the game at one.

In the fifth, the Racers surged ahead when Becker went yard for a team-high 11th time this season with a two-run shot that also scored Mo Ramsey. Ramsey reached on a single before Becker, then advanced to second on a UT Martin error.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Skyhawks loaded up the bases with no outs on two hits and a Murray State error. Smith cut the score to 3-2 later in the inning when she drove in Leah Taylor on a fielder's choice. However, the Racers and pitcher Shelby Kosmecki were able to work themselves out of the jam and held on to the one-run lead.

Neither team was able to score in the sixth, with Murray State also scoreless in the top of seventh, leaving the margin at one and giving UT Martin an opportunity for the win. However, CheyAnne Gaskey came in to start the seventh and picked up her second save of the season, as the Racers held on for the 3-2 win.

Becker and Ramsey led MSU in the game with two hits and one run each, while Troup and Christian Cox followed with one hit each. Kosmecki (6-15) picked up the win in the circle for Murray State as she allowed just one earned run on two hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

The Racers will return Murray next Saturday for a doubleheader with OVC East foe Tennessee State at 1 p.m. The home stand will be a brief one for MSU, as it will turn around on Sunday and travel to Nashville for a doubleheader with OVC newcomer Belmont at Noon.