Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Jacksonville State
Players Mentioned
Racers Host Jacksonville State Friday
3/29/2018 3:36:00 PM | Softball
Date & Time: Mar. 30 (1 p.m. DH)
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Racer Field)
Video: OVCDigitalNetwork.com
Audio: None
Live Stats: GoRacersLive.com
MUR Record (Streak): 9-20, 0-2 OVC (Lost 6)
JSU Record (Streak): 15-16, 3-1 OVC (Won 1)
MSU Next Games: Apr. 4 vs. Western Ky.
MSU Next Home: Apr. 4 vs. Western Ky.
This Week
The Murray State softball team will open an eight-game home stand Friday with a doubleheader against OVC rival Jacksonville State at Racer Field at 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
After opening the Kara Amundson era at 5-1 against Jacksonville State, the Racers have since won just one of the last eight meetings and have now dropped five in a row to the Gamecocks. In Murray, MSU is 4-5 against Jacksonville state and have not won at Racer Field since 2014.
The Jacksonville State Series
After opening the Kara Amundson era at 5-1 against Jacksonville State, the Racers have since won just one of the last eight meetings and have now dropped five in a row to the Gamecocks. In Murray, MSU is 4-5 against Jacksonville state and have not won at Racer Field since 2014.
Scouting The Gamecocks
Jacksonville State enters the weekend at 3-1 in the OVC and 15-16 overall after a midweek win at UAB Wednesday. Taylor Beshears currently leads the JSU offense with a .358 average, while as a team, the Gamecocks are hitting .265. In the circle, Faith Sims is currently 10-7 on the year with a 2.06 ERA, 76 strikeouts, 70 walks and a .208 opponent's batting average. As a whole, the Gamecocks have a team ERA of 3.33 are limiting opposing hitters to a .267 clip and are striking out batters at just over a 1:1 ratio compared to walks.
In Their Own Words With Erika Downey
You guys dropped both games last weekend by only one run. What is the biggest takeaway from those losses that you can turn into a positive going forward?
The biggest takeaway from the losses (that we can turn into a positive as we go forward) is that we must shut the door when we are ahead. It is important that we do not allow the other team an opportunity to come back after we take the lead.
As a senior, what is one thing you wish you could go back and tell freshman Erika?
You are here because you have worked your whole life and you deserve to be here. Do not belittle yourself when you have inner turmoil or when someone does not believe in you, but rather take those two and let them motivate you. The only limitation you have is the one you create in your mind.
What skill has softball taught you that will be useful when you get into the "real world"?
One skill that softball has taught me is that failure is inevitable. Because softball is a game of failure, I have learned to use my mistakes as opportunities to grow rather than allowing it to tear me down. I use failure as a form of motivation to become a better person.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened on a softball road trip?
This year while we were in Kansas for spring break is one of the funniest things that have ever happened on a softball road trip. While we had time to spare in the hotel due to the rain, two of the rooms decided to have a sing off. Each room picked a song to mimic and then came up with a music video to go with it. The videos were hilarious and they even went viral on twitter.
Weather Forecast
Friday is forecasted to be the driest day in Murray in nearly a week. Temps will get into the high 50s, with a low chance of rain and winds out of the northwest at 6-9 mph.
A Double Barrel Blast
When Lillie Goetz and Logan Braundmeier homered in game two of last Friday's doubleheader at EKU, it marked the second time this season that MSU has had two home runs in the same game. The first came in the season-opener against ETSU when Madison Culver and Lexi Jones did the honors.
Threein' It Off
While Jensen Striegel currently leads MSU on the year in multiple hits games with 10, Lillie Goetz three-hit performance at EKU last week was her third of the season, the most of any Racer this season.
Free For All
Currently, both games of Friday's doubleheader 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 return to the friendly confines Wednesday to host their first home mid-week contest of the season against Western Kentucky at 5 p.m.
