Murray State University Athletics
Friday, March 2
Carbondale, Ill.
12 p.m.
Murray State
vs
Northern Illinois
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/IF
/ Softball
Coach B Classic On Tap For Racers
3/1/2018 4:55:00 PM | Softball
Dates & Time: Feb. 2-4
Site (Venue): Carbondale, Ill. (Charlotte West Stadium)
Audio: Mixlr.com/MSU Racers (Non-SIU Games)
TV/Web Stream: WatchESPN.com (SIU Games)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
MUR Record (Streak): 5-8 (Lost 2)
Racers vs. The Field: 6-4
NIU Record (Streak): 2-8 (Lost 1)
SIU Record (Streak): 7-5 (Lost 1)
ILL Record (Streak): 3-6 (Lost 1)
MSU Next Games: Mar. 9-11 vs. Racer Classic
MSU Next Home: Mar. 9-11 vs. Racer Classic
This Week
The Racers will look to get to .500 or better on the year when they travel to Carbondale for SIU's annual Coach B Classic. This year's field includes Northern Illinois, Illinois and the host Salukis in pool play/tournament format with each' teams last two game dependent on the results of their previous contest.
Last Time Out
The Racers went 2-3 at the 2018 Trojan Classic with an extra-inning win over UAB and a record-breaking win over Tennessee Tech. Murray State also held tough with 16th-ranked Ole Miss and also dropped close games to Troy and UAB. Jensen Striegel led MSU with a .462 average with four runs, a double, three RBIs, two walks and a stolen base. Lillie Goetz followed at .375 with four runs, three doubles, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base. In the circle, Olivia Suski was 1-1 with a 1.87 ERA over two complete games with just four earned run, six strikeouts and one walk with opponents hitting .212 against her.
The Northern Illinois Series
The Racers faced off with the Huskies for the first time last season and played three games against them over in the Coach B and Racer Classics. Murray State won all three games last season and put an exclamation point on the series in the third game with a 9-0, six-inning win.
Scouting The Huskies
The Huskies are just 2-8 on the season and have been off since February 18 after a 2-3 performance at the 2018 Cougar Classic in Charleston, S.C. The Huskies are hitting .232 as a team, while their pitching staff has a team ERA of 5.09 with opponents hitting .333 against them. Alaynie Woodard leads the way this season for NIU offensively with a .333 clip at the plate at six RBIs, while Jenny Van Geertry has a .296 average and a team-high seven RBIs. Despite being 0-2 on the year, MacKenzie Bryan has the team's lowest ERA at 3.65, while Tara Thacker is 1-4 with a 5.62 ERA and leads the team in strikeouts with 15.
The Southern Illinois Series
Murray State picked up their second win of the series in last year's Coach B Classic, when they beat SIU, 8-7. The win helped close the gap in the all-time series with the Salukis now leading 4-2.
Scouting The Salukis
The Salukis began last week's FGCU/Four Points By Sheraton Invitational last weekend with a 3-0 record, before falling to host Florida Gulf Coast in the finale. At 7-5 on the year, SIU enters this weekend hitting .263 as a team, allowing opponents to hit .277 against them and have a staff ERA of 2.48. Maddy Vermjean leads the way for SIU at the plate with a .364 average, while Katelyn Massa follows closely behind at .361 with a team-high 16 RBIs. In the circle, Brianna Jones is 6-0 in nine appearances with a 1.44 ERA. She has allowed just 10 earned runs over 48.2 inning and has struck out 47, while walking only 10.
The Illinois Series
The Racers have met the Fighting Illini just once before, in 2015 in Athens, Georgia as part of UGA's Red & Black Showcase. Murray State picked up a 5-3 in the contest, marking the program's second win over a Big Ten team.
Scouting The Fighting Illini
After going 2-2 at least weekend's Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Illinois will enter the weekend at 3-6 overall. With a .474 individual average, Alexis Carrillo leads an Illinois offense that bats .289 as a team. Rowan McGuire is currently hitting .320 and lead Illinois with seven RBIs. As a team, the Fighting Illini have an ERA of 4.10, while Danielle Brochu leads individually at 2.71. Emily Osterich leads her team in strikeouts this season with 17, to go along with a 2-2 record and a 3.99 ERA.
In Their Own Words With Brenna Finck
This past weekend your team had its share of highs and lows. What do you have to do this week to build off the highs and fix the lows?
To prepare for this upcoming weekend, we need to reflect and learn from the both the highs and the lows we've endured to this point. We learned that we need to keep being competitive and grinding things out. As a team, we have regained our focus for this weekend and we are ready to get after it.
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This year's team is very young, compared to years past. With so many new people, is it hard to achieve the chemistry that maybe was on other teams and what steps are you as a team taking to bond yourselves as unit?
Although we have so many new people, it has not been hard to achieve chemistry. We are a close-knit bunch of girls who have fun together. I would say the hardest part was having to adjust to losing the leaders and experienced players that we had before. With the new players, we are trying to help them learn the ropes and gain the experience necessary to help them grow. One thing that has helped the team bond, is our weekly challenges. We are assigned a teammate to challenge and hold accountable to fulfill the challenge. It enables us to become not only become better teammates, but better people, as well.
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You are the type of hitter that mainly hits for average, but you also have the long ball in your arsenal. In any given at bat, what makes the difference, for you, in a ball the whizzes through the gap and a ball that sails over the fence?
The thing that makes the difference is the pitcher that I am facing. Outside pitches are my favorite pitch to drive, so if their pitcher is constantly throwing outside, my contact is typically more solid. As far as my approach, I just go up to bat ready to attack pitches.
One of the best parts of road trips with your teams is the stories that come out of them. What is one of you favorite stories from a Racer softball road trip?
One of my favorite road trip stories happened my freshman year when we traveled to Jacksonville, Florida. We were lucky to have time to make a quick trip to the beach. As we were taking pictures, Shelbey Miller tackled Coach Em [former assistant Kristen Emerling] causing them both to fall in the water. I'm pretty sure Shelbey had lost at [the game of] odds and had to do it, but it was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
Weather Forecast
While the chances for rain this weekend are extremely low, temperatures are not expected to rise above 58 and will hover around the low to mid 50s.
Records Were Meant To Be Broken
The 21 runs scored against Tennessee Tech by Murray State broke the previous MSU single-game record for runs of 19 which was set against Tennessee State in 2011. The Racers also set a new RBI mark in the game with 17, besting the previous record of 16 set in the same game against TSU.
Win When It Counts
Friday's extra inning win over UAB marked the 21st time that the Racers had gone to extra innings under head coach Kara Amundson. Murray State is now 13-8 in extras in the Amundson era and has won each of its last three games of eight innings or more.
Two Is The Magic Number
Murray State scored two runs in each of its three losses last weekend to move to 0-6 on the year when scoring 0-2 runs. Conversely, the Racers are 3-0 on the year when they can hold their opponents to two runs or less.
More Is Better
The Racers have out hit their opponents four times this season and have won all four of those contests. However, when MSU is out hit on the year, it is just 1-8.
Movin' On Up
Senior Haven Campbell needs just five strikeouts to move into the top five all-time in MSU history in strikeouts. She currently has 131 for her career and needs 136 to tie Kristen Broadway, who played from 2010-2011.
In The Mix
Select Murray State softball away games, including all games that are not against SIU will once again be broadcast this season on the internet via Mixlr. Fans can listen, free of charge, on any computer at mixlr.com/msuracers or by downloading the Mixlr app, available on Apple and Android devices, and searching msuracers. The games will be broadcast by MSU softball media relations contact, Parker Griffith.
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Ok, What's Next?
The Racers will kick-off their 2018 home slate with the second annual Racer Classic at Racer Field in Murray. Opponents in this year's event for the Racers include Rhode Island, Oakland, Illinois-Chicago, Kent State and Evansville.
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Site (Venue): Carbondale, Ill. (Charlotte West Stadium)
Audio: Mixlr.com/MSU Racers (Non-SIU Games)
TV/Web Stream: WatchESPN.com (SIU Games)
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
MUR Record (Streak): 5-8 (Lost 2)
Racers vs. The Field: 6-4
NIU Record (Streak): 2-8 (Lost 1)
SIU Record (Streak): 7-5 (Lost 1)
ILL Record (Streak): 3-6 (Lost 1)
MSU Next Games: Mar. 9-11 vs. Racer Classic
MSU Next Home: Mar. 9-11 vs. Racer Classic
This Week
The Racers will look to get to .500 or better on the year when they travel to Carbondale for SIU's annual Coach B Classic. This year's field includes Northern Illinois, Illinois and the host Salukis in pool play/tournament format with each' teams last two game dependent on the results of their previous contest.
Last Time Out
The Racers went 2-3 at the 2018 Trojan Classic with an extra-inning win over UAB and a record-breaking win over Tennessee Tech. Murray State also held tough with 16th-ranked Ole Miss and also dropped close games to Troy and UAB. Jensen Striegel led MSU with a .462 average with four runs, a double, three RBIs, two walks and a stolen base. Lillie Goetz followed at .375 with four runs, three doubles, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base. In the circle, Olivia Suski was 1-1 with a 1.87 ERA over two complete games with just four earned run, six strikeouts and one walk with opponents hitting .212 against her.
The Northern Illinois Series
The Racers faced off with the Huskies for the first time last season and played three games against them over in the Coach B and Racer Classics. Murray State won all three games last season and put an exclamation point on the series in the third game with a 9-0, six-inning win.
Scouting The Huskies
The Huskies are just 2-8 on the season and have been off since February 18 after a 2-3 performance at the 2018 Cougar Classic in Charleston, S.C. The Huskies are hitting .232 as a team, while their pitching staff has a team ERA of 5.09 with opponents hitting .333 against them. Alaynie Woodard leads the way this season for NIU offensively with a .333 clip at the plate at six RBIs, while Jenny Van Geertry has a .296 average and a team-high seven RBIs. Despite being 0-2 on the year, MacKenzie Bryan has the team's lowest ERA at 3.65, while Tara Thacker is 1-4 with a 5.62 ERA and leads the team in strikeouts with 15.
The Southern Illinois Series
Murray State picked up their second win of the series in last year's Coach B Classic, when they beat SIU, 8-7. The win helped close the gap in the all-time series with the Salukis now leading 4-2.
Scouting The Salukis
The Salukis began last week's FGCU/Four Points By Sheraton Invitational last weekend with a 3-0 record, before falling to host Florida Gulf Coast in the finale. At 7-5 on the year, SIU enters this weekend hitting .263 as a team, allowing opponents to hit .277 against them and have a staff ERA of 2.48. Maddy Vermjean leads the way for SIU at the plate with a .364 average, while Katelyn Massa follows closely behind at .361 with a team-high 16 RBIs. In the circle, Brianna Jones is 6-0 in nine appearances with a 1.44 ERA. She has allowed just 10 earned runs over 48.2 inning and has struck out 47, while walking only 10.
The Illinois Series
The Racers have met the Fighting Illini just once before, in 2015 in Athens, Georgia as part of UGA's Red & Black Showcase. Murray State picked up a 5-3 in the contest, marking the program's second win over a Big Ten team.
Scouting The Fighting Illini
After going 2-2 at least weekend's Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Illinois will enter the weekend at 3-6 overall. With a .474 individual average, Alexis Carrillo leads an Illinois offense that bats .289 as a team. Rowan McGuire is currently hitting .320 and lead Illinois with seven RBIs. As a team, the Fighting Illini have an ERA of 4.10, while Danielle Brochu leads individually at 2.71. Emily Osterich leads her team in strikeouts this season with 17, to go along with a 2-2 record and a 3.99 ERA.
In Their Own Words With Brenna Finck
This past weekend your team had its share of highs and lows. What do you have to do this week to build off the highs and fix the lows?
To prepare for this upcoming weekend, we need to reflect and learn from the both the highs and the lows we've endured to this point. We learned that we need to keep being competitive and grinding things out. As a team, we have regained our focus for this weekend and we are ready to get after it.
Â
This year's team is very young, compared to years past. With so many new people, is it hard to achieve the chemistry that maybe was on other teams and what steps are you as a team taking to bond yourselves as unit?
Although we have so many new people, it has not been hard to achieve chemistry. We are a close-knit bunch of girls who have fun together. I would say the hardest part was having to adjust to losing the leaders and experienced players that we had before. With the new players, we are trying to help them learn the ropes and gain the experience necessary to help them grow. One thing that has helped the team bond, is our weekly challenges. We are assigned a teammate to challenge and hold accountable to fulfill the challenge. It enables us to become not only become better teammates, but better people, as well.
Â
You are the type of hitter that mainly hits for average, but you also have the long ball in your arsenal. In any given at bat, what makes the difference, for you, in a ball the whizzes through the gap and a ball that sails over the fence?
The thing that makes the difference is the pitcher that I am facing. Outside pitches are my favorite pitch to drive, so if their pitcher is constantly throwing outside, my contact is typically more solid. As far as my approach, I just go up to bat ready to attack pitches.
One of the best parts of road trips with your teams is the stories that come out of them. What is one of you favorite stories from a Racer softball road trip?
One of my favorite road trip stories happened my freshman year when we traveled to Jacksonville, Florida. We were lucky to have time to make a quick trip to the beach. As we were taking pictures, Shelbey Miller tackled Coach Em [former assistant Kristen Emerling] causing them both to fall in the water. I'm pretty sure Shelbey had lost at [the game of] odds and had to do it, but it was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
Weather Forecast
While the chances for rain this weekend are extremely low, temperatures are not expected to rise above 58 and will hover around the low to mid 50s.
Records Were Meant To Be Broken
The 21 runs scored against Tennessee Tech by Murray State broke the previous MSU single-game record for runs of 19 which was set against Tennessee State in 2011. The Racers also set a new RBI mark in the game with 17, besting the previous record of 16 set in the same game against TSU.
Win When It Counts
Friday's extra inning win over UAB marked the 21st time that the Racers had gone to extra innings under head coach Kara Amundson. Murray State is now 13-8 in extras in the Amundson era and has won each of its last three games of eight innings or more.
Two Is The Magic Number
Murray State scored two runs in each of its three losses last weekend to move to 0-6 on the year when scoring 0-2 runs. Conversely, the Racers are 3-0 on the year when they can hold their opponents to two runs or less.
More Is Better
The Racers have out hit their opponents four times this season and have won all four of those contests. However, when MSU is out hit on the year, it is just 1-8.
Movin' On Up
Senior Haven Campbell needs just five strikeouts to move into the top five all-time in MSU history in strikeouts. She currently has 131 for her career and needs 136 to tie Kristen Broadway, who played from 2010-2011.
In The Mix
Select Murray State softball away games, including all games that are not against SIU will once again be broadcast this season on the internet via Mixlr. Fans can listen, free of charge, on any computer at mixlr.com/msuracers or by downloading the Mixlr app, available on Apple and Android devices, and searching msuracers. The games will be broadcast by MSU softball media relations contact, Parker Griffith.
Â
Ok, What's Next?
The Racers will kick-off their 2018 home slate with the second annual Racer Classic at Racer Field in Murray. Opponents in this year's event for the Racers include Rhode Island, Oakland, Illinois-Chicago, Kent State and Evansville.
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