Softball Resumes OVC Play With TSU, Belmont

Game Notes | Live Stats & Video Links

Dates: Mar. 22-23, 2014
Opponents: Tennessee St./Belmont
Site (Venue): Nashville, Tenn. (Tiger Field)/Murray, Ky. (Racer Field)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Twitter In Game: @MSURacers @PGriffithMSU
MSU Record (Streak): 11-13, 0-2 OVC (L6)
Tennessee St. Record (Streak): 13-17, 1-1 OVC (W1)
Belmont Record (Streak): 7-14, 1-1 OVC (L1)
All-Time Series vs. Tennessee St.: MSU leads 7-2
All-Time Series vs. Belmont: MSU leads 5-2
MSU Last Games: at No. 21 Auburn - 3/19 (L 0-10, L 7-11); : at UAB - 3/20 (L 2-5)
MSU Next Game: Mar. 24 vs. Western Ky.
MSU Next Home: Mar. 24 vs. Western Ky.

After stepping away from OVC play for three games in Alabama earlier this week, the Murray State softball team returns to conference action this weekend with a rare away/home weekend. On Saturday, the Racers will travel to Tennessee State for a doubleheader, before returning home on Sunday to host Belmont in another doubleheader.

The Racers had a tough two-day stay in the state of Alabama, being swept in a DH at Auburn on Wednesday and falling at UAB in a single game on Thursday. Murray State had a chance in game two at Auburn, putting up four home runs and leading for most of the contest. However, a late rally by the 24th-ranked Tigers staved off the MSU upset bid.

On Thursday, a five-run second inning doomed the Racers, despite a two-run blast by Alexa Becker in the sixth and a scoreless relief performance by CheyAnne Gaskey. Casey Castile led MSU on the week with a .500 average by going 4-for-8 with two runs, two RBIs, a double and two home runs, both in game two at Auburn.

Murray State leads the all-time series with Tennessee State at seven wins and two losses. TSU snapped a five-game skid to the Racers last season when they topped MSU at home, 5-3. However, MSU got back on a winning track in the second game of the doubleheader with a 10-0 win. Murray State is 4-1 all-time at Tiger Field with the only loss coming during Murray State's inaugural season in 2010.

Tennessee State went 1-1 when they opened OVC play last weekend against Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers fell in game one by a narrow 1-0 margin, but bounced back in game two with a 4-1 win. Ashley Haynes was the hero of game two as she went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a home run. TSU will enter the weekend with a 13-17 mark overall and are 8-6 at home at Tiger Field.

Lindsey Burgess is currently leading TSU with a .353 average to go along with 16 RBIs, 15 runs and a team-high four home runs. In the circle, TSU has turned to TSU the most, as she has a 7-6 record with a 3.11 ERA and a team-high 90 strikeouts.

Belmont and Murray State have met eight times before Sunday, with Murray State leading 6-2. Last season, the two teams split their first meeting in Nashville since the Bruins joined the OVC. The Racers are 2-0 all-time against Belmont in Murray with MSU sweeping a doubleheader in 2011.

Belmont also opened OVC play last weekend with a split at home against Morehead State, 1-3 and 7-0. Earlier this week, the Bruins dropped to 7-14 on the year when they fell in Nashville to Louisiana Tech, 7-3. Mia Vierra helped power the shutout of Morehead State against Morehead when she went 2-for-3 with a run, a double and a home run, while Jessica Wilson was also 2-for-3 with three runs, two RBIs and a home run.

Kat Hollingsworth is Belmont's current leading hitter, batting at a .379 clip with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and 13 RBIs. Pitching wise, Taylor Moon has the most appearances at 15 and is 3-4 on the year with 26 strikeouts and a .244 opponent's batting average.

Live stats will be available for all four games, while free live video, courtesy of the OVC Digital Network, will be available for Sunday's games in Murray. All links are available at the top of this page and at GoRacers.com.

Murray State University Athletics

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