Racers Hang Tough With Ole Miss, Top UAB In Extras

Friday, February 23

Troy, Ala.

9 a.m.

Murray State

3-6

Ole Miss

7-2

Ole Miss

Murray St.

2/23/2018 5:27:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 OM BOX SCORE (PDF)UAB BOX SCORE (PDF)SEASON STATS (PDF)

Just The Facts
The Murray State softball team dropped a 4-2 heartbreaker to 16^th-ranked Ole Miss Friday at the Troy Softball Complex in Troy, Alabama in the opening game of the 2018 Trojan Classic. However, the Racers were able to bounce back with 4-2, nine-inning win over UAB in their second game of the day.

Game 1 – #16 Ole Miss 4, Murray St. 2

How It Happened
The Racers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a passed ball and an error by the Rebels that allowed Kristen Bialek and Leah Kesel to score. Bialek was a pinch runner for Lexi Jones who got the Racers going by drawing a walk, while Kesel had MSU's first hit of the game, a bunt single.

However, in the top of the fourth, after Haven Campbell had retired the first nine batters of the contest, Ole Miss tied the game on a two-RBI single up the middle from Autumn Gillespie. Campbell would them retire the side in order in the fifth, only to have the Rebels score two in the sixth on a pair of errors to extend the lead to 4-2.

Murray State had a chance in the seventh when Logan Braundmeier singled and Jensen Streigel walked with just one out. The two runners would eventually move into scoring position on a ground out from Jones, but that was as far as they got, sealing the 4-2 win for Ole Miss.

In The Circle
Haven Campbell went 6.2 innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks to fall to 3-2 on the season. Grace Vaughn closed out the contest by allowing no runs on no hits in the final third of an inning.

In A Pinch
Braundmeier hit in the seventh came as she pinch hit for designated player Ellison Barrett. The single up the middle was also her first hit as a collegiate player.

Holding Their Own
The Racers limited Ole Miss to just four runs on the day. The four runs is tied for the fewest the Rebels have given up in a win this season.

Game 2 – Murray St. 4, UAB 2 (9 Inn.)

How It Happened
Murray State was first on the in the contest, thanks to a pair of back-to-back singles from Jensen Striegel and Lillie Goetz to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Brenna Finck brought Streigel home with a RBI fielder's choice for the 1-0 leader. The lead did not last long, however, as Natalie Erwin started the inning with a triple and eventually score on a sacrifice fly from Destini England to tie the game at one.

The game remained tied for the next five innings, until the Racers exploded for three runs in the ninth with Goetz, Striegel and Jenny Homann all driving in runs. UAB did score in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough as Murray State held on for the 4-2 win.

In The Circle
Olivia Suski picked up the first win of her collegiate career by going the full nine innings and allowing just one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk. For the Blazers, Claire Blount also went the distance and gave up three earned runs on eight hits with a walk and six strikeouts.

Career Day
Lilli Goetz was a career-best 3-for-4 against UAB in addition to driving in a run and scoring one herself. Jensen Striegel tied her career-highs in the game by tallying two hits and two runs.

Win When It Counts
Friday's extra inning win marked the 21^st time that the Racers had gone to extra innings under head coach Kara Amundson and are now 13-8 in those contests.

Welcome Back Bats
The eight hits in the game are second-most this season for Murray State and the most since pounding out 16 in the season-opener against ETSU.

OK, What's Next?
The Racers continue play in the Trojan Classic Saturday and will meet Tennessee Tech in non-conference action at 2 p.m., followed by a showdown with the host Trojans at 7 p.m.