Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Belmont
Players Mentioned
Racers Prepare For Final Road Trip
4/19/2018 4:54:00 PM | Softball
Date & Time: Apr. 20-21 (3 p.m./1 p.m.)/Apr. 24 (12 p.m. CT)
Opponents: Belmont/Tennessee St./Morehead St.
Site (Venue): Nashville, Tenn./Morehead, Ky. (E.S. Rose Park/Tiger Field/University Field)
Video: OVCDigitalNetwork.com (TSU & MOR)
Audio:Â None
Live Stats: GoRacersLive .com
MSU Record (Streak): 10-30, 0-10 OVC (Lost 8)
BEL Record (Streak): 22-15, 3-7 OVC (Lost 2)
TSU Record (Streak): 3-39, 0-12 OVC (Lost 22)
MOR Record (Streak): 22-12, 3-5 OVC (Won 3)
All-Time Series vs. BEL (Streak): MSU leads 11-5 (Lost 2)
All-Time Series vs. TSU (Streak): MSU leads 14-3 (Won 2)
All-Time Series vs. MOR (Streak): MUR leads 11-6 (Lost 1)
MSU Next Games: Apr. 28 vs. Eastern Ill. (1 p.m.)
MSU Next Home: Apr. 28 vs. Eastern Ill. (1 p.m.)
The Game
The Murray State softball team rounds out the away portion of its schedule with a final six-game road trip with doubleheaders at Belmont, Tennessee State and Morehead State.
Last Time Out
Despite a late lead, the Racers allowed three runs in the sixth against Memphis Wednesday and fell to the Tigers, 5-4. Jensen Striegel led Murray State by going 2-for-2 in the game with a run and a walk, while Lillie Goetz was 1-for-2 with a run, a double and two RBIs and Brenna Finck was 2-for-4 with two doubles and a RBI. Grace Vaughn took the loss for Murray State despite allowing no earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts over 2.2 innings.
The Belmont Series
The Racers lead Belmont 11-5 in the all-time series, after dropping two late season in Murray and at the OVC Tournament. Murray State is 3-3 all-time in Nashville splitting a doubleheader on each trip to E.S. Rose Park.
Scouting The Bruins
Belmont is currently 22-15 on the year with a 3-7 record in OVC play. Lexi Rouse and Jess Andree are currently leading the Bruin offense with a .356 and a .336 average, respectively. Brooklin Lee has been Belmont's ace this season and is 12-7 with a 1.77 ERA, 162 strikeouts and just 56 walks. As a team, Belmont is hitting .269 on the season and allowing 2.25 earned runs per game, while opponents are hitting .226 against them.
The Tennessee State Series
Murray State has lost to Tennessee State just three times in the two teams' 17-game series. In Nashville, the Racers are 7-2 all-time having lost their last meeting there in 2016.
Scouting The Tigers
The Tigers dropped a 2-0 decision at Chattanooga Wednesday, moving their record to 3-39 on the season, with a 0-12 mark in the OVC, and extending their losing streak to 23 games. Sarah Snell currently leads a TSU offense that bats .198 as a team with a .266 individual average. In the circle, Tennessee State has a 6.32 team ERA and allows opponents to hit .326 against them. Individually, Lauren Powell has been TSU's go-to in the circle with a 2-20 record, a 4.64 ERA, 75 strikeouts and 43 walks.
The Morehead State Series
The Racers are 11-6 all-time against Morehead and 4-3 at University Field. The two teams split their doubleheader last season, giving Morehead State the last win in the series in both Murray and Morehead.
Scouting The Eagles
Morehead State swept a mid-week doubleheader at Wright State to improve to 22-12 on the year and 3-5 in the OVC. Taylor Wheeler and Ellen Barrett currently lead the Eagles offensively with averages of .342 and .341, respectively, while the team is hitting .263 as whole. In the circle, Morehead State has a staff ERA of 2.55 with a 2.6:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .210 opponent's average. Chelsea McManaway currently has the lowest ERA on the team at 2.02 and is 14-5 on the year.
Weather Forecast
Friday in Nashville will be warm with a high of 67, while Saturday will be even warmer with a high of 72. Tuesday in Morehead will be cool with a high of 62 and a better-than-most chance of rain at 55-percent.
Free For All
Currently, Sunday's and Tuesday's games 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?
Murray State returns to friendly confines for a six-game home stand to close out the regular season. The Racers will host Eastern Illinois next Saturday followed by SIUE Sunday.
