Racers Split Coach B Opening Day

Friday, March 2

Carbondale, Ill.

12 p.m.

Murray State

5-9

Northern Illinois

3-9

Northern Ill.

Murray St.

3/2/2018 9:44:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 NIU BOX SCORE (PDF)SIU BOX SCORE (PDF)SEASON STATS (PDF)

Just The Facts
The Murray State softball team was shutout, 3-0, by Northern Illinois Friday in the opener of the 2018 Coach B Classic at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. However, in their second game, the Racers bounced back and took down Southern Illinois, 5-3.

Game 1 – Northern Ill. 3, Murray St. 0

How It Happened
The Huskies limited Murray State to just four hits in the contest and stranded six Racers en route to first shutout by a MSU opponent this season. Northern Illinois scored two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to cap its scoring at three.

In The Circle
Olivia Suski allowed just one earned run on seven hits over 6.1 innings in the game to fall to 1-5 on the year. Amber Van Duyse closed out the game and allowed no runs or hits with a strikeout over the final two-thirds of an inning.

Offensive Highlights
Jensen Striegel accounted for exactly half of Murray State's offense in the game by going 2-for-3. Sierra Gilmore and Logan Braundmeier were only other Racers to tally a hit in the contest.

Game 2 – Murray St. 5, Southern Ill. 3

How It Happened
Murray State scored one run in each of the first two innings, only to have Southern Illinois tie the game with a two-run inning in the third. In the fifth, the Racers exploded for three runs on three hits to take a commanding 5-2 lead. The Salukis added one run in the bottom of the frame, but that would be as close as it got, with MSU holding on for the 5-3 win.

In The Circle
Haven Campbell picked up the win by going 4.2 innings and allowing one unearned run on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Amber Van Duyse earned her first save of the season by tossing the final 2.1 innings and allowing no runs on one hit with one strikeout and one walk.

Offensive Highlights
Both Striegel and Brenna Finck went 2-for-4 in the contest with Striegel scoring two runs and Finck driving in two. Lillie Goetz finished the game at 1-for-4 with a run and a RBI, while Erika Downey was 0-for-1 with a run, a RBI and a walk.

OK, What's Next?
The Racers will wrap-up round robin play in the Coach B Classic Saturday at 10 a.m. against Illinois. Murray State will then play at either 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. based on the results of the round robin.