Murray State University Athletics
Thursday, March 9
Racer Field
4 p.m.
Murray State
vs
Austin Peay
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
Photo by: Patti Twaddle
Racers Host First Home Tournament This Weekend
3/8/2017 4:42:00 PM | Softball
Pleas Note: There will be changes to this weekend's Racer Classic schedule, but they have not been finalized yet. A schedule update will be posted on GoRacers.com later Wednesday evening.
Date: March 10-12
Tournament: 2017 Racer Classic
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Racer Field)
Audio: None
TV/Web Stream: OVCDigitalNetwork.com
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
MSU Record (Streak): 15-4 (Won 4)
MSU vs. The Field: 17-6
All-Time Series vs. SLU (Streak): Series tied 1-1 (Won 1)
All-Time Series vs. APSU (Streak): MSU leads series 16-5 (Won 1)
All-Time Series vs. NIU (Streak): MSU leads 1-0 (Won 1)
MSU Next Games: Mar. 15 vs. Western Ill. (DH)
MSU Next Home: Mar. 15 vs. Western Ill. (DH)
This Week
For the first time in program history, the Murray State softball team will host a tournament Friday through Sunday at Racer Field. The four-team Racer Classic will feature Murray State, Austin Peay, Saint Louis and Northern Illinois.
Last Time Out
Murray State posted a perfect 4-0 record at the Coach B Classic last weekend. The Racers picked up wins over Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, Illinois-Chicago and Southern Illinois in the event.
Cayla Levins hit safely in each of MSU's four games last week and recorded multiple hits in three of the four to finish the week with a team-high .700 average. Levins' lone hit against Western Illinois proved huge for the Racers as the two-run blast put MSU on top for good in the game at 4-3.
On Sunday, MSU won two very different games, first picking up a 1-0 win in a pitchers' duel against Illinois-Chicago. In the nightcap, the Racers outlasted SIU, 8-7, in a slugfest after scoring all eight runs in the first inning.
Against The Field
The Racers are 17-6 all-time against their three opponents this weekend, with the bulk coming against OVC foe Austin Peay.
Murray State and Saint Louis have met on just two previous occasions with both meeting coming in 2013 at the Arkansas Invitational. While in Fayetteville, the Billikens walked away as 9-6 winners in the openers, however the Racers evened the series in the second game with a 7-4, nine-inning victory.
Murray State leads the all-time series with Austin Peay by a hefty 16-5 margin. Despite the large gap, the Govs put an end to MSU's 12-game win streak in the series last year in Clarksville. The Racers also hold an 8-3 advantage over Peay in Murray and have not lost to the Govs at home since 2012.
This weekend will be the second and third meetings all-time between Murray State and Northern Illinois after meeting for the first time just last weekend. The Racers struck the first blow in the series last Saturday when they exploded for seven runs in the second and held on for the 7-3 win.
Scouting Saint Louis
The Billikens are off to a hot start to the season and are now 10-4 on the year. Saint Louis has now reeled off seven wins in a row, including all four at last weekend's We Back Pat Tournament hosted by UMKC. As a team, SLU is batting .306 this season, while their pitching staff is allowing opponents to hit just .219.
The Billiken staff currently has an ERA of 2.72 and is giving up just 1.1 base runners per inning. The trio of Allie MacFarlane, Alyssa Tarquinio and Mackenzie Peter is currently leading the SLU offense with all three hitting over .400 at .457, .432 and .404, respectively. In the circle, Kaylea Chappelle leads the way with a 3-0 record, a 1.38 ERA, an opponents' average of, 12 strikeouts and just five walks.
Scouting Austin Peay
After winning just nine games in each of the past two seasons, Austin Peay is well on its way to surpassing that total this season and is currently 7-8 on the year. The Govs dropped a close one to Campbell in mid-week action, 8-6, Wednesday in Clarksville.
With a .449 average, Danielle Liermann currently leads a team that bats .254 as a unit. Liermann also leads the team with 16 RBIs and four home runs. In the circle, the Govs have a staff ERA of 5.10 which is led by Autumn Hanners' individual ERA of 4.20. Kelsey Gross currently has a team-low opponents' average of .303 which is just a shade under the team's opponents' average at .316.
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Scouting Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois was 2-3 at last weekend's Coach B Classic in Carbondale and now sits at 8-6 on the year. NIU picked up wins over Illinois-Chicago and the host Salukis while in Carbondale, but lost to Kentucky, Western Illinois and the Racers. As a team, NIU is hitting .256, while opponents hit .221 against them.
Kayti Grable and has been the driving force offensively for Northern Illinois this season, posting a .419 average to go along with a team high three home runs. As a staff, the Huskies have a team ERA of 1.73 which is fueled by Alex Frenz's 5-1 record and 1.64 individual ERA.
Weather Forecast
Temps this weekend should be cold with the high only getting to 54 Friday and not above 40 for the rest of the week. Friday and Sunday there won't be much of a chance for rain, however Saturday will see a high probability at around 67 percent.
Hot Start
With a 15-4 record, MSU has set a new record for the best 19-game start in program history. It is the fastest any Racer team has gotten to 15 wins, surpassing the 25 wins it took the 2016 team.
Weekly Honor
Mason Robinson went 2-0 with a save and finished the Coach B Classic with a 0.00 ERA to be named as the OVC Pitcher of the Week. The senior allowed no earned runs in the three appearances and walked just two batters, while striking out 11. She also picked up the first save of her career against Western Illinois by entering in the sixth and then striking out the side in order in the seventh for the win.
Five And Under
Murray State is currently 14-1 the year when it holds opponents to five runs or less. The Racers are also a perfect 7-0 when allowing two runs or less.
"What's Your Why?" Weekends
This year the MSU seniors are presenting "What's Your Why? Weekends" during home weekends. The concept behind "What's Your Why?" is simple, it's a cause that you are passionate about want to raise awareness of. The first "why" for this season will be adoption and foster care and will be presented by Mallory Young and Jessica Twaddle.
Score Early, Win Often
Early runs have proved to be an effective tool for Murray State this season. The Racers are 7-0 this season when scoring in the first inning and are 10-1 when they are first team on the scoreboard.
Closing In
With 10 wins already this season, Mason Robinson now has 55 for her career, just two shy of CheyAnne Gaskey's program record 57 wins. Her 10 wins on the year also places her fifth nationally in that category.
Free For All
Currently, all 12 games of this weekend's Racer Classic are scheduled to be broadcast on OVCDigitalNetwork.com. As always, all games broadcast on the OVCDN are free of charge. Please note that coverage is subject to change without notice due to weather conditions.
OK, What's Next?
The Racers will host their first mid-week contest next Wednesday against Western Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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Date: March 10-12
Tournament: 2017 Racer Classic
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Racer Field)
Audio: None
TV/Web Stream: OVCDigitalNetwork.com
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
MSU Record (Streak): 15-4 (Won 4)
MSU vs. The Field: 17-6
All-Time Series vs. SLU (Streak): Series tied 1-1 (Won 1)
All-Time Series vs. APSU (Streak): MSU leads series 16-5 (Won 1)
All-Time Series vs. NIU (Streak): MSU leads 1-0 (Won 1)
MSU Next Games: Mar. 15 vs. Western Ill. (DH)
MSU Next Home: Mar. 15 vs. Western Ill. (DH)
This Week
For the first time in program history, the Murray State softball team will host a tournament Friday through Sunday at Racer Field. The four-team Racer Classic will feature Murray State, Austin Peay, Saint Louis and Northern Illinois.
Last Time Out
Murray State posted a perfect 4-0 record at the Coach B Classic last weekend. The Racers picked up wins over Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, Illinois-Chicago and Southern Illinois in the event.
Cayla Levins hit safely in each of MSU's four games last week and recorded multiple hits in three of the four to finish the week with a team-high .700 average. Levins' lone hit against Western Illinois proved huge for the Racers as the two-run blast put MSU on top for good in the game at 4-3.
On Sunday, MSU won two very different games, first picking up a 1-0 win in a pitchers' duel against Illinois-Chicago. In the nightcap, the Racers outlasted SIU, 8-7, in a slugfest after scoring all eight runs in the first inning.
Against The Field
The Racers are 17-6 all-time against their three opponents this weekend, with the bulk coming against OVC foe Austin Peay.
Murray State and Saint Louis have met on just two previous occasions with both meeting coming in 2013 at the Arkansas Invitational. While in Fayetteville, the Billikens walked away as 9-6 winners in the openers, however the Racers evened the series in the second game with a 7-4, nine-inning victory.
Murray State leads the all-time series with Austin Peay by a hefty 16-5 margin. Despite the large gap, the Govs put an end to MSU's 12-game win streak in the series last year in Clarksville. The Racers also hold an 8-3 advantage over Peay in Murray and have not lost to the Govs at home since 2012.
This weekend will be the second and third meetings all-time between Murray State and Northern Illinois after meeting for the first time just last weekend. The Racers struck the first blow in the series last Saturday when they exploded for seven runs in the second and held on for the 7-3 win.
Scouting Saint Louis
The Billikens are off to a hot start to the season and are now 10-4 on the year. Saint Louis has now reeled off seven wins in a row, including all four at last weekend's We Back Pat Tournament hosted by UMKC. As a team, SLU is batting .306 this season, while their pitching staff is allowing opponents to hit just .219.
The Billiken staff currently has an ERA of 2.72 and is giving up just 1.1 base runners per inning. The trio of Allie MacFarlane, Alyssa Tarquinio and Mackenzie Peter is currently leading the SLU offense with all three hitting over .400 at .457, .432 and .404, respectively. In the circle, Kaylea Chappelle leads the way with a 3-0 record, a 1.38 ERA, an opponents' average of, 12 strikeouts and just five walks.
Scouting Austin Peay
After winning just nine games in each of the past two seasons, Austin Peay is well on its way to surpassing that total this season and is currently 7-8 on the year. The Govs dropped a close one to Campbell in mid-week action, 8-6, Wednesday in Clarksville.
With a .449 average, Danielle Liermann currently leads a team that bats .254 as a unit. Liermann also leads the team with 16 RBIs and four home runs. In the circle, the Govs have a staff ERA of 5.10 which is led by Autumn Hanners' individual ERA of 4.20. Kelsey Gross currently has a team-low opponents' average of .303 which is just a shade under the team's opponents' average at .316.
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Scouting Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois was 2-3 at last weekend's Coach B Classic in Carbondale and now sits at 8-6 on the year. NIU picked up wins over Illinois-Chicago and the host Salukis while in Carbondale, but lost to Kentucky, Western Illinois and the Racers. As a team, NIU is hitting .256, while opponents hit .221 against them.
Kayti Grable and has been the driving force offensively for Northern Illinois this season, posting a .419 average to go along with a team high three home runs. As a staff, the Huskies have a team ERA of 1.73 which is fueled by Alex Frenz's 5-1 record and 1.64 individual ERA.
Weather Forecast
Temps this weekend should be cold with the high only getting to 54 Friday and not above 40 for the rest of the week. Friday and Sunday there won't be much of a chance for rain, however Saturday will see a high probability at around 67 percent.
Hot Start
With a 15-4 record, MSU has set a new record for the best 19-game start in program history. It is the fastest any Racer team has gotten to 15 wins, surpassing the 25 wins it took the 2016 team.
Weekly Honor
Mason Robinson went 2-0 with a save and finished the Coach B Classic with a 0.00 ERA to be named as the OVC Pitcher of the Week. The senior allowed no earned runs in the three appearances and walked just two batters, while striking out 11. She also picked up the first save of her career against Western Illinois by entering in the sixth and then striking out the side in order in the seventh for the win.
Five And Under
Murray State is currently 14-1 the year when it holds opponents to five runs or less. The Racers are also a perfect 7-0 when allowing two runs or less.
"What's Your Why?" Weekends
This year the MSU seniors are presenting "What's Your Why? Weekends" during home weekends. The concept behind "What's Your Why?" is simple, it's a cause that you are passionate about want to raise awareness of. The first "why" for this season will be adoption and foster care and will be presented by Mallory Young and Jessica Twaddle.
Score Early, Win Often
Early runs have proved to be an effective tool for Murray State this season. The Racers are 7-0 this season when scoring in the first inning and are 10-1 when they are first team on the scoreboard.
Closing In
With 10 wins already this season, Mason Robinson now has 55 for her career, just two shy of CheyAnne Gaskey's program record 57 wins. Her 10 wins on the year also places her fifth nationally in that category.
Free For All
Currently, all 12 games of this weekend's Racer Classic are scheduled to be broadcast on OVCDigitalNetwork.com. As always, all games broadcast on the OVCDN are free of charge. Please note that coverage is subject to change without notice due to weather conditions.
OK, What's Next?
The Racers will host their first mid-week contest next Wednesday against Western Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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