Racers Split At Morehead State

Saturday, March 26

Morehead, Ky.

11 a.m.

Murray State

11-16, 0

Morehead State

16-11, 0

Murray St.

Morehead St.

Photo by: Patti Twaddle

3/26/2016 4:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Murray State softball team used a big-fifth inning to power past Morehead State, 8-2, in game one of Saturday's doubleheader at University Field in Morehead, Kentucky, but fell in the finale, 3-2.

Morehead State (17-11, 6-1) scored first in the opener after beginning the bottom of the fourth with two base runners on a hit by pitch and a double from Karly Thompson. The Eagles would go on to add two runs in the frame on a single from Robyn Leighton, who finished the game 3-for-3, and an error by Murray State, to take a 2-0 lead.

The Racers (11-17, 2-5), however, answered in a big way in the top of the fifth scoring eight runs on six hits and two Eagle errors. Maddy Feeney came up with two hits in the inning, in addition to scoring once and driving in a run as well. Morehead State had no answer for Murray State's Mason Robinson or its defense in the final two innings, as the Racers held on for the 8-2 win.

Feeney finished the game at 2-for-3, while Jocelynn Rodgers was 2-for-4 with a RBI. Robinson moved to 8-8 on the year with the win, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks over a complete game.

In game two, Morehead State once again scored first in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI triple from Hannah Murphy that plated Ellen Barrett, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the frame. Down 1-0, Murray State wasted little time tying the game in the top of the fifth, thanks to a pinch hit RBI-single from Madison Culver that scored Feeney, who led off the inning with a double.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Eagles got three consecutive singles off of Racer starter Amber Van Duyse and increased the lead to 3-1 on a RBI-single from Lindsay Ward and a sacrifice fly from Thompson. In the sixth, Murray State began the frame with a single from Rodgers and a double from Taylor Odom. However, when Maggie Glass put the ball into play in the next at bat, both runners were caught in rundowns, leaving the Racers scoreless in the inning.

In the seventh, it was another strong start for the Racers after Shelbey Miller tripled and Leah Kesel walked with only one out. Despite Kesel being caught stealing in the next at bat, Miller scored on the play, to cut the lead to 3-2. With just one out needed for the win, Morehead State retired the next batter to secure the 3-2 victory.

Miller led Murray State in game two at 3-for-4 with a run, while Rodgers followed at 2-for-3. Van Duyse fell to 0-4 after allowing three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and no walks over 4.2 innings of work. Haven Campbell had a solid relief outing for the Racers, giving up no runs, hits or walks, while striking out one in the final 1.1 innings.

On Wednesday, the Racers will travel to the land of the Delta blues to take on the Memphis Tigers in a single game that is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.